College’s strong leadership praised in Ofsted report

Inspector Jim Sage visited with Ofsted’s Non Davies in October and was impressed by the school’s improvements made since 2012.

In the report, the inspector noted pupils in all year groups made ‘strong progress’ and ‘arrive ready to learn’.

Mr Sage said: “The overall achievement of pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, was strong in 2016. The clear direction and strong leadership you have provided since you [James Ingham-Hill] took on the post of principal at the start of this school year have given impetus to increasing the pace of improvement.

“The achievement of disadvantaged pupils, including those who are among the most able, has improved significantly in all year groups and across a wide range of subjects.”

The report praised the role of the governors and the school’s safeguarding measures as staff underwent ‘regular and effective’ training.

The inspector added: “The overwhelming majority of parents believe that the school keeps their children safe and cares for them. Pupils enjoy coming to the school and this is shown in their good attendance.

“Pupils’ behaviour in lessons is rarely less than good and often exemplary.”

In his assessment, the inspector added the school needed to deepen pupils’ learning, to raise the achievement of pupils who have special education needs and or disabilities and to make sure pupils’ understanding of topics was evaluated and reinforced.

Principal James Ingham-Hill said he was ‘delighted’ with the report and thanked students, staff, governors and predecessor Kenny Duncan.

He added: “It is important that the college continues to be highly respected by Ofsted.

“To gain such a positive report within an Ofsted framework that is so much more demanding than the previous one, and also in such testing times for all schools in terms of financial support from the government, is a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment across the school community.”