MORE House School in Frensham has been rated ‘outstanding’ following its latest Ofsted inspection.

The top ranking marks the all-boys school’s first dual Ofsted inspection, combining the inspection of its educational and residential provisions, and saw More House achieve ‘outstanding’ gradings in all seven areas of the inspector’s report.

The inspectors’ report attributes the result to the high standard of exceptional leadership by the headmaster and members of staff which filters down through the school and focuses on putting the pupils “at the heart of everything they do”.

Ofsted’s inspection team also credited other factors such as the rich curriculum and the highly extensive range of extra-curricular activities which inspire pupils to learn, the support of parents with their positivity about the ways in which the school has transformed their children’s lives, and the expertise and knowledge of governors as paramount to its success.

They noted that the benefits of these were evident in students achieving top grades in their GCSE, A-Level and other equivalent courses.

More House’s sixth form department too gained praise for its providing of excellent academic and emotional support from boarding staff and the positive influence of the adults around them, echoed in the headmaster’s comments that: “What this inspection has recognised is the exceptional hard work of the entire teaching, therapeutic, boarding and support staff in empowering our students to succeed.”

Ofsted were also sure to remark on the school’s strong safeguarding ethos which it upholds with regular training of staff to ensure they are up to date with the latest advice and guidance. Checks for new staff members are thorough and there is a strong level of communication between parents, carers, local authorities and the police to make sure students always feel safe and supported.

More House School spoke of its pride in being a residential special school status and still achieving this standard. The school currently specialises in children who have been diagnosed with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, language disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.

Sarah Secker-Barker, More House School’s marketing co-ordinator, added it is a rare but incredible feat “for a school like ours who don’t fit neatly into a pre-designed framework” to be recognised by such a renowned educational board.

Ofsted acknowledged how More House staff were able to identify each pupil’s needs as they joined the school, to ensure a learning environment is created to fit them.

Some techniques teachers used included smaller group sizes to ensure effective communication, phrasing questions skilfully to ensure they were challenging students and using information technology to overcome barriers.

Staff also ensured that pupils’ writing was celebrated through displaying work on walls and publishing pieces through the school community. By implementing this strategy, pupils were able to “regain their sense of self-worth and gain skills to cope with their learning difficulties”.

Speaking about the recent result, headmaster Jonathan Hetherington said: “To gain ‘outstanding’ ratings across all areas – academic, pastoral, boarding and Sixth Form – allows others who are not so familiar with our school to see exactly what we stand for and what our pupils achieve.”

The report also endorses More House’s core vision “to lead in transforming the futures of intelligent children who experience specific learning difficulties, developmental language disorders and associated conditions by empowering them”.