Ivybridge
Community College celebrates ‘outstanding’ Ofsted status
- Ivybridge Community College is one of the only schools in UK to receive five outstanding inspection reports in a row over 20 years
- Status retained under tough new framework criteria
Ivybridge
Community College staff and students are celebrating after achieving a fifth ‘outstanding’
Ofsted report in a row.
It is
one of a small few schools in the UK to have received an outstanding rating in
every one of its inspections since Ofsted was established in 1992 and the only
secondary school in Devon to have retained this status since the Ofsted framework
was updated in January 2012.
The
glowing report – which follows the best GCSE results in the College’s history –
praised the College across the full Ofsted criteria, giving the highest
possible ratings for:
- achievements of pupils
- quality of teaching
- behaviour of students
- leadership and management
Inspectors
were impressed with every area of Ivybridge Community College’s operations, remarking: “The excellent leadership of the
Principal, governing body and other senior leaders successfully provides the
drive and ambition needed to further improve the quality of teaching and hence
raise the students’ achievement.”
Principal Rob Haring, who took over the reins at Ivybridge Community
College in January 2010, praised the commitment of everyone involved. He said: “This is a marvellous result for the
College and a true reflection of the hard work and dedication put in by
everyone – from our teaching staff right through to our students, governors and
parents. Deeply embedded within the
culture of the College is a relentless focus on learning and teaching of the
very highest standard, so it is tremendously rewarding to receive such positive
external validation.”
Outstanding curriculum
In addition to the report’s pages of commendation for the College, Mr Paul Sadler, Ofsted’s Lead Inspector, said
there was “exceptionally strong learning” and that “a commitment for learning
across the school and high aspirations of students and staff are a particular
strength.” He added that “lessons were
such that students could not but be helped to be swept up in to the enthusiasm of
learning and teaching” and that “students’ thirst for knowledge and love of
learning has a positive impact on students’ behaviour.”
“The outstanding curriculum is a notable strength of the College,” added
the report. "Because of outstanding
teaching of numeracy and, especially, literacy, students have the skills needed
to make rapid progress in a wide range of subjects.”
“Teachers have very high expectations of their students, and relationships
between staff and students are outstanding.
For example, in Year 13 Chemistry a discussion...had more of the
atmosphere of a university tutorial than a school lesson.”
The findings of the inspection are reflected in this year’s GCSE and A
Level results at the College, with a record breaking 77% 5 A*–C including
English and Maths and 100% pass rate in the latter, with one in five being
either an A or A* grade.
Excellent enrichment opportunities
Alongside the College’s academic prowess is a plethora (two hundred) of
extra-curricular activities for Years 7 to 13.
These enrichment opportunities provide additional learning experiences
which also enhance the College’s outstanding status.
“Students excel at Sport and PE,” added the report, “and many students
have represented their region or country in a wide range of sports including
rugby union, basketball and sailing.”
Commendable behaviour and safety
Behaviour and safety at the College was also seen as an extremely strong
attribute, with inspectors noting: “Students typically behave very well and
relate well to each other and to adults...the drive to raise self-esteem is at
the heart of the College’s work and demonstrates its commitment to equality of
opportunity and the fostering of good relationships by challenging any form of
discrimination, including racism and homophobia.”
Notably, the report also summarised the College’s very special status,
both locally and nationally, as one of the best schools in the country. Lead Inspector Paul Sadler added: “Outstanding school status
remains a great accolade to have. It is
not easy, especially under the new framework.”
Key findings of the inspection
The key findings of Ivybridge Community College’s
Ofsted inspection include:
·
“All students make excellent progress when learning a wide range of subjects,
including English and Mathematics. Their
attainment in GCSE, A Level and AS Level and other examinations is high.”
·
“Because of the outstanding teaching of numeracy and especially literacy,
students have the skills needed to make rapid progress in a wide range of
subjects.”
·
“Teachers have very high expectations of students. As a result, they have high levels of
self-confidence and excellent attitudes to learning. Assessment is used very well to set demanding
targets and to show students how to improve their work.”
·
“Students’ behaviour in lessons and around the College is excellent.”
·
“The outstanding curriculum is a notable strength of the College.”
·
“The outstanding 200 clubs and out-of-College activities, very
effectively promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.”
·
“The excellent leadership of the Principal, governing body and other
senior leaders successfully provides the drive and ambition needed to further
improve the quality of teaching and hence to raise students’ achievement.”
·
“The sixth form is of outstanding quality, with excellent teaching
delivering high attainment at AS and A Level and prepares students very well
for higher education and employment.”
·
“Students’ attainment and progress greatly exceeded almost all key
national benchmarks” at the end of Year 11 2012.”
·
“The proportion attaining the highest grades of A* and A in many
subjects including English Literature, History and Physics were also well above
average.”
·
“The proportion of excellent
teaching seen by inspectors was very high.”
·
“The subject expertise of teachers is used very well. From the start of Year 7 Physics, Chemistry
and Biology are taught separately by experts in these fields.”
·
“Students are enthusiastic about their learning.”
·
“Excellent teaching lies at the heart of the Principal’s vision.”
·
“The curriculum is a major strength of the College.”
·
“The governing body has an excellent understanding of its roles and responsibilities.”
·
“The outstanding Principal took on a major challenge in succeeding a
predecessor under whose leadership the College was already highly
successful. He has succeeded in further
raising students’ achievements.”
The full Ofsted inspection of Ivybridge Community
College is available at http://goo.gl/0Kz65G
PHOTOS
- Ivybridge Community College Principal Rob Haring celebrating the
college’s sixth consecutive outstanding Ofsted rating with students.
- Students at Ivybridge Community College using microscopes in a
science lesson
- Student Max Pamplin studying at Ivybridge Community College
-Ends-
Notes to editors
About
Ivybridge Community College
Ivybridge Community College is a
success-orientated establishment, which has always prided itself on supporting
students to achieve to their highest potential.
It has an OFSTED rating of Outstanding for the
last twenty years.
The College's goal is to motivate and challenge
its students. Talented and dedicated staff, disciplined students, supportive
parents and an enthusiastic Governing Body, all work for a common purpose –
allowingstudents to flourish.The College offers great alternatives to students
drawn from an increasingly diverse populace and from a large area of Devon.
Tertiary growth has been spectacular over the past ten years currently reaching
over 600 students.