The below statement was made by our Headteacher, Vikki Alden, on 23rd June 2026.

I am delighted to share the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection and to provide you with a copy of the final report.

The report recognises the significant journey Brunel School has been on and highlights many strengths that our pupils, families and staff will be proud of. Inspectors found that safeguarding is effective and that pupils experience an "inclusive school culture where they feel safe and are understood well by the staff who teach and support them."

The report acknowledges that pupils have "a true sense of belonging" and that their voices are valued. Inspectors recognised the positive relationships at the heart of the school, noting that staff are fully committed to supporting pupils' individual needs and helping them overcome barriers to learning and wellbeing.

We were particularly pleased that inspectors recognised:

• The ambitious and well-designed curriculum that supports pupils from their varied starting points.
• The school's commitment to building strong relationships with families and carers.
• The broad range of qualifications and opportunities available to pupils.
• The rich wider curriculum, including outdoor learning, cooking, digital skills and life skills.
• The significant improvements made in attendance, school culture and pupil wellbeing.
• The dedication, resilience and tenacity shown by leaders and staff in driving school improvement.

The report states that "leaders' tenacity and resilience in improving the school to its current point are notable" and recognises that the improvements made have ensured that pupils are increasingly well prepared for their next steps in education, employment and adult life.

As with all inspections, Ofsted also identified areas for further development. The report highlights that while significant progress has been made in creating a safe, inclusive and settled school environment, there remains further work to do to secure consistently positive attitudes to learning and behaviour across all aspects of school life.

This is an area that we had already identified as a key priority before the inspection. We know that many of our pupils arrive at Brunel having experienced significant challenges in their educational journeys. Building confidence, resilience, self-belief and positive learning habits takes time. We are committed to continuing this work so that every pupil develops the confidence to see themselves as successful learners and can thrive both academically and personally.

I would like to thank our pupils, staff, families, trustees and colleagues across Special Partnership Trust for their ongoing support. The report reflects the collective effort of our entire school community and provides a strong platform from which we will continue to grow and improve.

We remain incredibly proud of our pupils and look forward to continuing our journey together.

A full copy of our Ofsted report can be found below.