A new headteacher has been drafted in to turn around a struggling school for special needs pupils.

Bracknell Forest Council has pledged to turn around pupil referral unit College Hall after it was rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted inspectors. 

The Wokingham Road school is a pupil referral unit serving young people across Bracknell and the surrounding area as well as helping those with special educational needs.

On July 11 and July 12, the educational watchdog conducted an inspection where they downgraded the school from ‘good’ to ‘inadequate’.

The News contacted the local authority who work alongside College Hall for a comment on the recent inspection.

The executive director for people at Bracknell Forest Council, Grainne Siggins outlined that the council is aware of the provisions at College Hall and has put formal arrangements in place for the council to provide additional intensive support.

She added: “As a result of the joint working between the local authority and College Hall, a number of improvements were secured prior to the Ofsted inspection taking place.

“These were in relation to safeguarding processes, school finance and securing support for pupils from wider partner organisations and agencies.”

Ofsted found that the arrangements for safeguarding were not effective during the inspection.

Despite the safeguarding leads responding to concerns rapidly and effectively, pupil’s were found at risk because the school system for checking absence is weak.

The council has now enlisted a new management committee which has begun to make effective decisions for the school. This was also noted by Ofsted in their report.

Siggins explained: “With the support of the local authority, the management committee appointed a new highly experienced headteacher, who took up post over the summer.

“Bracknell Forest Council, the College Hall management committee and school leaders are committed to working in close partnership to rapidly secure the necessary improvements at College Hall. Robust plans are in place to build on the improvements made to date. 

“These changes will ensure that pupils at College Hall are able to benefit from a safe, nurturing environment, where both the academic and pastoral provision is tailored to meet their needs and enable them to achieve positive future outcomes.”