Carer As you will have been aware Joseph
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3 May 2016 Dear Parent/Carer th
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As you will have been aware Joseph Swan Academy had an Ofsted Inspection on the 12 and 13 April 2016. For the Academy this was a positive inspection with many improvements noted in the key areas. The strengths of the Academy were noted as the 'resilient headteacher has the strong support of governors and continues to drive improvement effectively. She has assembled a leadership team with the necessary skills and vision to drive forward improvements’. Another strength was the broad curriculum and well planned enrichment activities that the Academy offers. Additionally the behaviour, pride and conduct of our students and the key ethos of 'shine' and our 'shine charter' was seen as a particular strength. The positive values that our students have and how these prepare our students for life in modern Britain was also noted. The quality of our Sixth Form was recognised as a particular strength of our Academy. We still have areas to work on but key developments were noted in each of the specific areas. In the Effectiveness of Leadership and Management which Ofsted deemed as good, ‘the changes made by the Head Teacher and Governors since the last inspection’, Ofsted noted, ‘have brought about improvements for the students’. The Ofsted team recognised that ‘the changes made by the Head Teacher in remodelling the leadership, tightening up staff accountability and the raising of aspirations were now showing positive signs that students have begun to make better progress than in the past’. Parent and student feedback was positive about the 'education, care, behaviour and safety of students in the school'. The ethos of the school and how this was promoted was positively noted by the Ofsted team. Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development was noted to be strong, something which we are very proud of. The fact that subject leaders are now focusing on strategies to improve the quality of teaching and learning was positively recorded by the Ofsted team. Middle Leaders and Senior Leaders were noted to share the Head Teacher's drive for improvement. The Ofsted team recognised that the Academy's curriculum is broad and balanced and provides suitable pathways for students of different abilities. The commitment and energy the Academy puts into the transition arrangements with our primary schools was also recognised. We are also pleased that the Ofsted team recognised that 'catch up' and Pupil Premium funding is being used effectively within our Academy. The energy, commitment and knowledge of the Governing Body was recognised including the challenge they give Academy leaders and their involvement in decisions about staff performance. The Ofsted team recognised that safeguarding arrangements are effective and good appointment processes are in place including the checking of the suitability of adults who work in the Academy. Ofsted noted that staff are well trained in child protection and can speak knowledgeably about how to recognise signs of abuse, neglect, and extremism. All necessary checks about external providers are also in place. The key aspects for us to focus on is that Leaders need to continue to improve the quality of teaching being delivered to our students through further embedding the policies the Academy now has in place. In the Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment aspects Ofsted noted that the Quality of Teaching is improving since the last inspection. The Ofsted team saw examples of 'strong purposeful teaching' in science, English, art and modern foreign languages. This teaching was typified by brisk pace, and good questioning to promote discussion and debate. Ofsted noted ‘that teachers set homework regularly and have lately developed innovative approaches to make home learning more engaging’. The Ofsted Team noted that there was a positive climate for learning across the Academy with the vast majority of students concentrating well and responding promptly to instructions. The support given by Learning Support Assistants was deemed as effective with quality questioning being used to guide students. Teaching in the Sixth Form was noted to be good. The key aspects to improve in the Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment area, are to further embed with all staff changes
regarding marking and feedback, to ensure differentiation for all abilities is also further embedded, to challenge and support all abilities, and to review Key Stage 3 which we are happy to report has already started. We are also very happy to report that we are fully staffed with subject trained staff in all areas of the Academy. Our most recent appointment for example has been a Director of Mathematics who will review and develop Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 Mathematics. In ‘Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare’, many positives were noted by the Ofsted Team. The team defined the Academy's work to promote student's personal development and welfare as good. They again mentioned the Academy's Shine Charter and how this exemplifies leaders' ambitions to develop the ability of every student. The Shine Charter is something that we are very proud of. Ofsted noted that students and staff are proud of the Academy and mentioned the posters, displays and banners around the site which provide highly visual reminders of the Academy's core values. The Ofsted Team noted that students were both respectful and tolerant of each other and that students ‘reported that bullying and the use of derogatory language was rare’. The team noted that the behaviour of students was good and that they displayed a positive attitude to learning for the vast majority of time. The Academy site was commended and that there was virtually no litter and that students wear their uniform in line with expectations. The Academy's 'Line up for Learning' was specifically mentioned with Ofsted saying that this enabled year heads 'to set the tone for the morning and afternoon sessions and promotes the Academy's high expectations for conduct.' Ofsted recognised the work that the Academy is doing to further improve attendance but a key aspect of this development is to reach and exceed national average statistics. Regarding ‘Outcomes for Students’, Ofsted recognised that students are making progress at national average levels but would like to see more students exceeding the national average. Ofsted also recognised that 'concerted efforts to improve outcomes at Key Stage 4 are making a positive difference'. Ofsted also noted positively that the gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students is less than national average and is likely to be so for 2016 which is very positive for our students. Ofsted noted that students below the expected level of attainment in English and Maths receive additional literacy and numeracy support and that this is effective for many students. The Ofsted Team were positive about the improvements being shown for girls in Year 11. Areas for the Academy to work on include ensuring that outcomes are above national average in the future, that students are supported and challenged in their learning by ensuring that planning for progress is further embedded in the delivery of teaching and in students’ learning. The quality of our Sixth Form was fully recognised by the Ofsted team including levels of achievement and outcomes in both academic and vocational courses. The quality of the leadership of the Sixth Form was positively highlighted including how the quality of provision was rigorously evaluated. The quality of teaching in the Sixth Form was good. This teaching, Ofsted noted, stimulated mature debate and discussion. Careers advice and guidance led by the Sixth Form Team was also very positively noted with good support for learners wanting to go on to universities or apprenticeships. The promotion of students' social, moral, cultural and spiritual was also commended as were the quality and number of non-qualification activities and opportunities for students. Sixth Form students were very positive about the quality of provision they receive. Overall therefore this was a positive Ofsted inspection with many improvements noted, where clear ambitions and aspirations are in place through our embedded ethos and values and where behaviour, attitude and culture for learning are now in the correct place. We know our Academy and Ofsted recognised this. We also know what we need to improve. We have clear directions to go in the future by continuing to improve the quality of teaching, outcomes and by further promoting attendance. We would like to thank all of our students and Parents and Carers for their support since the last inspection and state that we as a staff, Governing Body and Directors will work strenuously together on areas we need to improve. This has already been started and we look forward to sharing these improvements and successes in the very near future. If you would like to discuss this letter or the report, which will be published on our and Ofsted’s website on th Thursday 5 May, please do contact Mrs Atkinson, Academy Administration Manager on 0191 4422004 or via [email protected] to make a convenient appointment to meet with the Head Teacher and/or members of the Governing Body. Yours faithfully
Miss H E Scott Head Teacher
Mr M Jones Chair of Governors
3 May 2016 Dear Parent/Carer th
th
As you will have been aware Joseph Swan Academy had an Ofsted Inspection on the 12 and 13 April 2016. For the Academy this was a positive inspection with many improvements noted in the key areas. The strengths of the Academy were noted as the 'resilient headteacher has the strong support of governors and continues to drive improvement effectively. She has assembled a leadership team with the necessary skills and vision to drive forward improvements’. Another strength was the broad curriculum and well planned enrichment activities that the Academy offers. Additionally the behaviour, pride and conduct of our students and the key ethos of 'shine' and our 'shine charter' was seen as a particular strength. The positive values that our students have and how these prepare our students for life in modern Britain was also noted. The quality of our Sixth Form was recognised as a particular strength of our Academy. We still have areas to work on but key developments were noted in each of the specific areas. In the Effectiveness of Leadership and Management which Ofsted deemed as good, ‘the changes made by the Head Teacher and Governors since the last inspection’, Ofsted noted, ‘have brought about improvements for the students’. The Ofsted team recognised that ‘the changes made by the Head Teacher in remodelling the leadership, tightening up staff accountability and the raising of aspirations were now showing positive signs that students have begun to make better progress than in the past’. Parent and student feedback was positive about the 'education, care, behaviour and safety of students in the school'. The ethos of the school and how this was promoted was positively noted by the Ofsted team. Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development was noted to be strong, something which we are very proud of. The fact that subject leaders are now focusing on strategies to improve the quality of teaching and learning was positively recorded by the Ofsted team. Middle Leaders and Senior Leaders were noted to share the Head Teacher's drive for improvement. The Ofsted team recognised that the Academy's curriculum is broad and balanced and provides suitable pathways for students of different abilities. The commitment and energy the Academy puts into the transition arrangements with our primary schools was also recognised. We are also pleased that the Ofsted team recognised that 'catch up' and Pupil Premium funding is being used effectively within our Academy. The energy, commitment and knowledge of the Governing Body was recognised including the challenge they give Academy leaders and their involvement in decisions about staff performance. The Ofsted team recognised that safeguarding arrangements are effective and good appointment processes are in place including the checking of the suitability of adults who work in the Academy. Ofsted noted that staff are well trained in child protection and can speak knowledgeably about how to recognise signs of abuse, neglect, and extremism. All necessary checks about external providers are also in place. The key aspects for us to focus on is that Leaders need to continue to improve the quality of teaching being delivered to our students through further embedding the policies the Academy now has in place. In the Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment aspects Ofsted noted that the Quality of Teaching is improving since the last inspection. The Ofsted team saw examples of 'strong purposeful teaching' in science, English, art and modern foreign languages. This teaching was typified by brisk pace, and good questioning to promote discussion and debate. Ofsted noted ‘that teachers set homework regularly and have lately developed innovative approaches to make home learning more engaging’. The Ofsted Team noted that there was a positive climate for learning across the Academy with the vast majority of students concentrating well and responding promptly to instructions. The support given by Learning Support Assistants was deemed as effective with quality questioning being used to guide students. Teaching in the Sixth Form was noted to be good. The key aspects to improve in the Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment area, are to further embed with all staff changes
regarding marking and feedback, to ensure differentiation for all abilities is also further embedded, to challenge and support all abilities, and to review Key Stage 3 which we are happy to report has already started. We are also very happy to report that we are fully staffed with subject trained staff in all areas of the Academy. Our most recent appointment for example has been a Director of Mathematics who will review and develop Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 Mathematics. In ‘Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare’, many positives were noted by the Ofsted Team. The team defined the Academy's work to promote student's personal development and welfare as good. They again mentioned the Academy's Shine Charter and how this exemplifies leaders' ambitions to develop the ability of every student. The Shine Charter is something that we are very proud of. Ofsted noted that students and staff are proud of the Academy and mentioned the posters, displays and banners around the site which provide highly visual reminders of the Academy's core values. The Ofsted Team noted that students were both respectful and tolerant of each other and that students ‘reported that bullying and the use of derogatory language was rare’. The team noted that the behaviour of students was good and that they displayed a positive attitude to learning for the vast majority of time. The Academy site was commended and that there was virtually no litter and that students wear their uniform in line with expectations. The Academy's 'Line up for Learning' was specifically mentioned with Ofsted saying that this enabled year heads 'to set the tone for the morning and afternoon sessions and promotes the Academy's high expectations for conduct.' Ofsted recognised the work that the Academy is doing to further improve attendance but a key aspect of this development is to reach and exceed national average statistics. Regarding ‘Outcomes for Students’, Ofsted recognised that students are making progress at national average levels but would like to see more students exceeding the national average. Ofsted also recognised that 'concerted efforts to improve outcomes at Key Stage 4 are making a positive difference'. Ofsted also noted positively that the gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students is less than national average and is likely to be so for 2016 which is very positive for our students. Ofsted noted that students below the expected level of attainment in English and Maths receive additional literacy and numeracy support and that this is effective for many students. The Ofsted Team were positive about the improvements being shown for girls in Year 11. Areas for the Academy to work on include ensuring that outcomes are above national average in the future, that students are supported and challenged in their learning by ensuring that planning for progress is further embedded in the delivery of teaching and in students’ learning. The quality of our Sixth Form was fully recognised by the Ofsted team including levels of achievement and outcomes in both academic and vocational courses. The quality of the leadership of the Sixth Form was positively highlighted including how the quality of provision was rigorously evaluated. The quality of teaching in the Sixth Form was good. This teaching, Ofsted noted, stimulated mature debate and discussion. Careers advice and guidance led by the Sixth Form Team was also very positively noted with good support for learners wanting to go on to universities or apprenticeships. The promotion of students' social, moral, cultural and spiritual was also commended as were the quality and number of non-qualification activities and opportunities for students. Sixth Form students were very positive about the quality of provision they receive. Overall therefore this was a positive Ofsted inspection with many improvements noted, where clear ambitions and aspirations are in place through our embedded ethos and values and where behaviour, attitude and culture for learning are now in the correct place. We know our Academy and Ofsted recognised this. We also know what we need to improve. We have clear directions to go in the future by continuing to improve the quality of teaching, outcomes and by further promoting attendance. We would like to thank all of our students and Parents and Carers for their support since the last inspection and state that we as a staff, Governing Body and Directors will work strenuously together on areas we need to improve. This has already been started and we look forward to sharing these improvements and successes in the very near future. If you would like to discuss this letter or the report, which will be published on our and Ofsted’s website on th Thursday 5 May, please do contact Mrs Atkinson, Academy Administration Manager on 0191 4422004 or via [email protected] to make a convenient appointment to meet with the Head Teacher and/or members of the Governing Body. Yours faithfully
Miss H E Scott Head Teacher
Mr M Jones Chair of Governors
