Radlett Lodge School rated outstanding by Ofsted

Staff and pupils at the National Autistic Society’s (NAS) Radlett Lodge School in Hertfordshire are celebrating their ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating, following a recent inspection of the school’s residential provision. The autism-specific school provides primary, secondary and post-16 support to 55 pupils. Attached to the school is a residential building called ‘The Lodge’ which caters for up to 14 pupils on either a weekly or termly basis. Ofsted inspected the school’s residential provision on February 12 and found all aspects to be ‘outstanding’. They observed that ‘staff are extremely well trained and experienced and provide high quality care in a warm nurturing environment’. Ofsted noted that a ‘particular strength of the service is the reflection on practice and commitment to continually improve’, adding that the management team ‘has a clear vision and have plans in place for the short term and long term future of the service’. Autism is a lifelong condition which affects how a person communicates with and relates to others, as well as how they make sense of the world. It is a spectrum condition which affects each person differently, meaning that some people are able to live relatively ‘everyday’ lives while others require a lifetime of specialist support. Jo Galloway, Principal of NAS Radlett Lodge School, said: “It’s testament to the effort of all our staff, pupils and parents that Ofsted have recognised the school’s residential provision as ‘outstanding’. We work hard to make sure that the children and young people in our care have the best education, the best opportunities and the best start in life. “Autism is a serious and lifelong condition but we’ve seen how the right help and support can help every pupil to fulfil their potential.” The school is also holding a recruitment fair on Thursday March 26 (7-9pm), hoping to fill a variety of posts including Learning Support Assistants, Residential Care Workers (weekends), teacher, bank workers and volunteers. It will be held at the school, which is based on Harper Lane, Radlett. If you would like to come along, please book by calling 01923 854922 or emailing radlett.lodgehr@nas.org.uk For more information about the school visit www.autism.org.uk/radlettlodge