| The School’s Response to the Inspection Report |
| |
| The school acknowledges the latest inspection report which identifies the many good and outstanding features the school has developed and the role that pupils and students play in the life of the school. It acknowledges the very good progress since the last inspection. |
| |
| We are particularly pleased with comments such as: |
| |
- The standards of attainment are high and well above the National figures.
- The school has good and committed leadership.
- Pupils enjoy coming to school, feel safe, are not concerned over bullying and are happy.
- The support for all pupils is very good and in many cases outstanding. The Pupil Support Unit has developed exemplary practices in achieving this.
- The opportunities provided to support personal development are impressive and innovative.
- Pupils actively contribute to the life and development of the school and there are many outstanding practices.
- Pupils are well prepared for adult life in a multicultural society.
- Behaviour in and around school is good and relationships between pupil to pupil and pupil to adults is positive.
- Pupils make very good progress in the sixth form and provision here is very good.
Parents and pupils were positive in their views of the school |
| |
| We are however, concerned and disappointed that overall judgements were based on the 2005 results which are now 18 months out of date. This situation failed to acknowledge the exceptional results at Key Stage 3 in 2006 which put us in the top 20% of schools and even higher for levels 7 and 8. This approach also failed to recognise significant achievement at Key Stage 4 and 5, which independently has been recognised by DfES in awarding us our Specialist School Status. |
| |
We acknowledge that the school has further developments to make supporting educational change and achievement which are already in the school’s improvement plan. These plans include the action suggested by the inspectors. The report acknowledged our effectiveness in bringing about improvement. |
| |
| We would also like to share our concerns over the many inconsistencies and generalisations presented in the report. The report comments on the overall achievement which does not support the government’s Personalisation agenda or Rushcliffe’s primary goal of supporting individual achievement. By working on averages the super achievements of the majority of pupils, evidenced over the last years, is eroded by those who have the same opportunities but are reluctant to use them and who do not have the positive support of parents. Our success equation Parents + Pupil + Staff = Success is always realised and young people thrive and go on to accomplish great things. The generalisation on Teaching and Learning is not supported by comments made throughout the report e.g. they refer to satisfactory teaching but on many occasions, and in the letter to pupils, refer to the majority being good. We recognise the need to continue our on-going developments in this area. |
| |
| We are particularly pleased with the report on the Sixth Form which confirms the success of many developments in this area and the value students place in assuring their own success. |
| |
ROB GULLIS
Head Teacher |
| |
