Westbury education centre is on the right track

Michael Tansey and Jo Holden with pupils Annabelle and Summer at the new centre.

ON Track Education Services are celebrating having settled into their new and improved site on the West Wilts Trading Estate.

On Track Education Centre is an alternative school in Westbury which provides education for students who have trouble sustaining a place in mainstream schooling. The team, originally based on Trowbridge Road, have recently relocated to a larger facility on the trading estate, allowing them to widen their provision for the students.

Centre manager Jo Holden said, “It’s going really well at the new school, there’s a lot more space to work with, and the students have taken ownership of the site and settled in quickly.”

Deputy manager Michael Tansey said, “Having the extra room means we can give students more individual attention, which is key to how we work. We can have smaller class sizes and more one-on-one sessions to ensure they get the most out of the teaching.”

The school, which moved to the new site during the summer holiday, currently has 16 students from Westbury and the surround area, and 12 members of staff. They were awarded a ‘Good’ rating in an Ofsted inspection during March this year, with the provision for pupils’ welfare, health and safety deemed ‘Outstanding’.

The report said, “Staff have the best interests of students at heart and they make every effort to overcome barriers that may impede students’ progress.”

On Track’s students are referred by mainstream schools who feel they cannot learn effectively in a typical classroom environment.

Jo said, “I’m very proud of all our students, they’re fabulous. They come here because they need a more adaptable environment than their schools can offer, and once they get it they all do really well. Almost all of them will go to college or straight into employment. The system is effective and clearly valued; we’re constantly getting referrals from the schools and local authorities. I’m proud of the whole staff team and the Oftsed report we received. It’s fantastic to be recognised for our efforts towards the pupils’ welfare which is so important at On Track.”

On Track Education Services is a not-for-profit organisation that runs six similar centres around the country. They adhere to the same rules, regulations, and core curriculum as state schools. They provide students with individually tailored timetables, within which they work on a combination of academic teaching and physical experience to best prepare them for adult life.

To find out more, visit www.ontrackeducationservices.co.uk.