Ofsted Results

Social Care Ofsted Report: 1st - 3rd October 2024  OUTSTANDING

Managers and staff have created a highly aspirational culture that helps children to achieve their full potential and improves their life chances. Many children have faced a difficult educational journey and the experience of moving to the school has been transformational for them and their parents. One parent told inspectors, ‘The school is a wonderful place where my child has grown and flourished, and I cannot praise the care team more.’ Another parent said, ‘The school is an amazing environment for the children to grow and develop. There is a nurturing, supportive culture.’

Children have access to a wide range of specialist support services, such as in-house therapists and well-being professionals. All staff communicate effectively in order to ensure that there is a holistic understanding of children’s needs and day-to-day experiences.

Admissions processes for children who are new to the residential provision are well organised and carefully managed. As a result, children have positive experiences of moving to the school. Many children moving on from the school go on to further education at college or university. One child said, ‘Moving to the school has allowed me to meet my best friends, express myself and find out who I am as a person.’

Ofsted Report 13th - 14th May 2025 - Good

"Pupils’ lives are positively transformed by attending Mary Hare. Pupils are eager to share their lived experiences."

Pupils are proud to show their school values of ready, respectful, safe and successful. They are welcoming, friendly and confident communicators. All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). While all pupils have a hearing impairment, some also have additional needs. Staff are highly attuned to pupils’ individual needs and ensure they are met effectively. The school has high expectations for how well pupils will conduct themselves and learn. Pupils know why it is important to work hard and be kind. Pupils regularly meet these expectations by behaving and achieving well. 

The school implements a therapeutic approach to support pupils’ development. Staff have been well trained to understand what needs pupils are trying to communicate when they find it hard to regulate their behaviour. On the rare occasions when this happens, staff skilfully support pupils. Pupils have positive and nurturing relationships with staff. Pupils trust that adults in the school will help them with any problems or worries they may have. 

Pupils’ lives are positively transformed by attending Mary Hare. Pupils are eager to share their lived experiences. Many say that when they arrived here for the first time, they felt like they belonged and were able to meet children and adults who understood them well.