SOMERSET Progressive School has been given an overall "good" Ofsted rating following its latest inspection.

The SEND school at West Hatch, Taunton, was inspected from June 18 to 20, and given a "good" rating for overall effectiveness - the same rating as its previous inspection.

Somerset Progressive School scored "good" on the quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management. It was rated "outstanding" for its "behaviour and attitudes". 

Overall, the inspection found the school, which offers education to those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), had met the independent school standards required.

In a positive report, the Ofsted inspection found: "Warm relationships underpin the calm, friendly atmosphere. Pupils are polite and considerate.

"Pupils learn without interruption because the curriculum is appropriate, and staff know how to support them."

It added: "Pupils learn to identify and manage their feelings, using strategies that are bespoke for their individual needs. Pupils are safe and happy at school. Pupils achieve well."

The inspection found that "all pupils" move on to college places, and "extensive" opportunities for wider development. 

Somerset Progressive School was praised for offering "adventurous activities", including an "increasing number" of pupils who complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. 

The report added: "Pupils enjoy looking after the donkey, goats, chinchillas and other animals that are on site." 

Somerset Progressive School was given two areas where improvement needs to be made. Firstly, being aware of "learning gaps", and secondly, "oversight on the impact of aspects of its provision".

Detailing the improvements needed, the Ofsted report reads: "Sometimes staff are not sufficiently aware of precisely what learning gaps pupils need to close.

"Consequently, these gaps persist and pupils do not learn all that they could. The school needs to ensure that all staff know what knowledge, skills and understanding pupils need in order to progress through the curriculum."

It added: "The school’s oversight of the impact of aspects of its provision is not always secure. This means there is variability in how well actions taken are implemented and the extent to which pupils benefit from them. The school must ensure it has an accurate view of all of the school’s strengths and of where improvements are needed."

Pupils were seen to "show tolerance and respect in the way they treat one another", but the report added "they do not learn enough about the range of different faiths and cultures that they are likely to encounter in modern Britain".