A HEREFORD school boss has said the whole county should be proud of what is being achieved after an Ofsted inspection.

Inspectors visited Herefordshire Pupil Referral Service, based in Coningsby Street, and praised pupils for how they valued the small group setting and respectful environment.

Jan Baker, chair of governors, said staff have worked very hard, particularly over the Covid lockdowns, to make sure that students received their education whether it was online or face to face.

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"Herefordshire should be proud of our alternative provision, and the Governing body wish the school continued success."

Saying the school, under the leadership of interim headteacher James Bowdler, continued to be good after the visiting on December 6 and 7, the inspectors added: "Pupils say that attending Herefordshire Pupil Referral Service has transformed their life."

Visiting the school to check whether it was still good, as judged at the last full inspection in 2017, inspectors said leaders were determined that pupils would leave the school able to flourish. Pupils, who valued working in the local community, tried their best to meet these expectations, they said.

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Inspectors Claire Price and Chris Field said in their report, published on January 30, that pupils joined the school because they had experienced difficulties in the past. But they had settled in quickly at the welcoming school where bullying is rare and soon started to do well.

Pupils in key stage three, for children aged between 11 and 14, studied a broad and balanced curriculum and at key stage 4, for those aged between 14 and 16, pupils followed a curriculum that is adapted to their needs and aspirations.

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In the hub, a hospital school provision, inspectors said pupils followed a carefully designed curriculum that supported their learning and their emotional or medical needs.

The school, with 53 pupils aged between 11 and 16, was praised for its well-sequenced curriculum in most subjects, but it needed improvement in other areas.

Personal, social and health education (PSHE) was also said to be central to what the school does, with children learning life skills, such as money management, and how to keep themselves safe in the thorough relationships and sex education curriculum. This was supported by visiting speakers, trips, and visits.