At Mulberry Bush School, we pride ourselves on creating an environment where every child, no matter their background or challenges, has the opportunity to thrive. The recent positive OFSTED report reflects the incredible work of our staff and the transformative journey we witness in our pupils.
We are thrilled to share key highlights of the report, and how it reinforces the commitment, compassion, and expertise that our team brings to this vital work every day.
A Safe and Nurturing Environment for All
The OFSTED report opens with a powerful statement: “Pupils thrive at this transformative school.” This sentiment resonates deeply with our mission. Many of the children who come to us have experienced significant trauma, which can make it difficult for them to engage with others or feel safe in a learning environment.
Yet, as the report highlights, our “expert staff rapidly build trusting and positive relationships with pupils,” ensuring that each child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.
This environment is not only about academic learning—it’s about emotional growth, healing, and the development of self-worth.
Our staff play a crucial role in building a sense of belonging and community for our pupils, creating a foundation from which they can truly flourish.
Through individualised care and attention, our team helps each child recognise their potential, fostering not only academic growth but also personal development.
A Holistic and Tailored Curriculum
The curriculum we use is more than just lessons in the classroom. It is a “highly ambitious and broad” offering that has been meticulously designed to meet the diverse needs of our pupils.
The integration of therapeutic activities, such as music, drama, and speech therapy, is a vital part of this approach. As the OFSTED report rightly points out, this “holistic curriculum has a profoundly positive impact on pupils’ well-being and learning.”
Our staff, equipped with specialist training, understand the complex social, emotional, and mental health needs of our pupils.
This knowledge allows them to make “impactful and bespoke adaptations to the curriculum,” ensuring that every child receives the education they deserve in a way that resonates with their unique experiences and challenges.
Cultivating Responsibility and Community
At The Mulberry Bush School, education extends far beyond academic achievement. We believe in preparing our pupils to be responsible, respectful members of society.
The OFSTED report highlights the ways in which personal development is intricately woven throughout the school experience, from cultivating social skills to learning about different cultures and viewpoints.
Pupils are empowered to be accountable for their behaviour, to lead by example in the school council, and to participate in the ‘get together’ community meetings, where they learn to value the power of collective responsibility.
“Social times are joyful periods of the day,” OFSTED observed. These moments, facilitated by staff who ensure activities align with pupils’ interests, are a testament to the school’s focus on emotional intelligence and group dynamics. Pupils learn to interact with kindness and respect, skills that will serve them well beyond their time at The Mulberry Bush.
A Team Effort: Staff, Leaders, and Families
The OFSTED report also highlights the strong partnership between staff, school leaders, and parents or carers. This collaboration is central to our success. As the report notes, “staff are immensely proud to work here,” motivated by the vision and shared moral aim of helping every child lead a happy, successful life. The unity of this team—staff, leaders, families, and of course, the pupils themselves—is what makes Mulberry Bush School so special.
Our Final Thoughts
The OFSTED report is more than just a set of observations—it’s a reflection of the dedication, care, and expertise that every member of staff brings to their work.
We are incredibly proud of this achievement and even prouder of the transformational journeys our pupils undergo while in our care.
As a school, we remain committed to our vision of helping children overcome their past traumas and empowering them to lead happy, fulfilled lives.
This positive report is a true testament to that vision being realised every day.
“Our recent Ofsted inspection and the subsequent report are confirmation of the fantastic work that goes on at our school. It is really pleasing to read a report that clearly reflects the work of the remarkable and dedicated adults at the school. All of our staff work incredibly hard to enable all our children to make huge strides with their emotional, social and academic development. The Mulberry Bush School makes a huge difference to the lives of all the children who are part of our community, and it is great to see when this is publicly recognised by an organisation such as Ofsted.”
Lee Wright – Director of The Mulberry Bush School
“The Ofsted inspection was a validation of several years of careful work to develop a truly therapeutic, integrated and holistic curriculum that meets the needs of our children. We are grateful that the inspectors worked collaboratively with us throughout the inspection process, really taking time and care to understand our provision. As a result, the report reflects the breadth of work that goes on across the School, both in and outside of the classrooms.”
Jess Hooper – Headteacher
