We had an Ofsted Inspection just before Easter in 2007. The Inspectors observed 50 lessons, examined many of our documents, and had meetings with a wide variety of staff – as well as with students. They were grateful for the response to the brief parental questionnaire, which was largely very positive about Guthlaxton.
The Report has now been published and it can be seen here, through the Ofsted website, www.ofsted.gov.uk or copies are available at College Reception.
I was pleased with the Report, as it described Guthlaxton’s overall effectiveness as being good. It stated that the College’s improving standards were largely the result of good teaching. As the Lead Inspector said in his letter to students: “You are offered a good quality of education. Your teachers are hard working and they teach you well.” The Inspectors’ positive views of the College as a whole were reflected in their separate views of our sixth form, whose effectiveness and efficiency were also described as being good.
The great majority of our students worked hard and behaved well during the Inspection, as they generally do. I was very pleased with them and I know that the Inspectors were impressed. The Report stated that “The students’ personal development and well-being are good as a result of the good provision for students’ care, guidance and support.”
The Inspectors described progress to age 16 as being satisfactory and progress in the sixth form as being good. They recognised that the issue at 16 was the school transfer at 14, which does not occur in most parts of the country. However, they said that students are taught well and their progress improves so that they achieve expected standards in most subjects by age 16. (In fact, our ‘value-added’ at age 16, compared with age 11, is rated at 1005.4 while the national average is 1000.)
The Report praised our curriculum and the range of extra-curricular activities on offer to students. It commented on the wide range of courses available at Key Stage 4 and at A level, while recognising that there was only limited vocational provision in the sixth form.
Our previous Inspection was in October 2002, and was complimentary about Guthlaxton. Therefore, I can only be pleased that the 2007 Report recognised that “Teaching and learning have improved since the last inspection.” Comments such as these are very heartening:
- “Teachers use their good subject knowledge well to engage the students.”
- “Lessons are well planned to include a variety of tasks, with well prepared resources to support learning.”
- “Students enjoy and take a pride in their work and are excited by the practical activities offered.”
- “The typically good relationships enable students to feel confident to challenge and question their teachers, and to work well in groups.”
Strong support for students at risk and other vulnerable students was observed from our Learning Support Department. The value of our Student Support Unit in helping those students at risk of exclusion was also recognised.
The Report commented on how we achieve progress through detailed development planning, and on how well staff are supported and held accountable by our governing body.
Of course, as well as commending strengths, the Report commented on areas where the college can improve further. These were not a surprise to us, and work has already been on-going to deliver necessary improvements. They commented on the unacceptable behaviour of a very small number of students, and the poor punctuality to lessons of some students. However, they also recognised the steps we have been taking in this regard. The Inspectors raised two issues in particular.
- We should improve the overall quality of teaching and learning in mathematics.
There are many strengths in the Maths Department which we can point to – for example excellent Express Maths GCSE results each year, exceptional UK Maths Challenge performances each year and very good A level results. However, the Inspectors commented that average GCSE results were weaker in Maths than in English, and they attributed this to variability in teaching and learning.
Part of the reason for weaker performance in the past has been the unavoidable need to use temporary teachers. However, we currently have some newer and younger teachers who are developing quickly. Support will be provided to the Department as, for example, it develops new workschemes and takes further steps to improve the performance of students. - We should improve marking and assessment procedures so that they enable students to make better progress.
The Report recognised that students are aware of their recognised levels or target grades, and that there was some outstanding practice. However, it stated that students do not always know how their work will be assessed. It also stated that, while we have considerable data on prior attainment, not all teachers use this routinely in their planning and teaching.
We have actually made many improvements in this regard over the last year or two, but we will take this further. Our forthcoming revision of college computer networks will make it easier to access and to make use of relevant data to improve student performance.
I was gratified that the Report praised our leadership and management. Following re-structuring last year, I have every confidence that our Senior Leadership Team, working in partnership with our academic and pastoral colleagues, is well placed to support the new Principal in improving Guthlaxton yet further.
Given that I am retiring this year, I was of course pleased at the positive remarks made about my own contribution to the College’s work. Too many headteachers have lost their jobs as a result of Ofsted criticisms, and this has been one of the reasons why fewer senior staff have been prepared to apply to be heads.
Fortunately, at Guthlaxton we are going from strength to strength. We have a fine set of staff and a fine student body. With the continuing support of parents and the governing body, I am sure that the new Principal will be able to sustain Guthlaxton’s further development.