STAFF and pupils at a Lichfield school are celebrating after the publication of its latest Ofsted report.
Inspectors praised Maple Hayes Hall School for making “a significant difference to the lives of pupils who have previously struggled to learn in the past” – and also highlighted the successful approach to teaching literacy and the high expectations it has for all pupils.
The school was rated ‘good’ across all main categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The inspection also confirmed that the school meets all independent school standards.
David Lowe, headteacher at Maple Hayes Hall School, said:
“We are delighted that Ofsted has recognised our continued commitment to providing high-quality education for children with dyslexia.
“The report reflects the dedication of our staff and the remarkable progress our pupils make through our unique teaching approach.”
Founded by Dr Neville Brown, Maple Hayes Hall School uses a morphological approach to teaching literacy, using icons to make a visual link between meaning and spelling instead of traditional phonics methods.
The school caters for pupils aged between seven and 16 who have specific difficulties with reading, writing and spelling.
Dr Daryl Brown, co-principal alongside Dr Neville Brown, added:
“The Ofsted report highlights how our specialist literacy curriculum helps pupils who previously couldn’t read to develop these vital skills.
“It’s particularly gratifying to see recognition of how pupils build a wide and varied vocabulary, with their handwriting and spelling reaching very high standards.”