Ofsted October 2012: Patchway Community College is a Good school!

Patchway’s Ofsted visit in October was a resounding success, with the school being officially recognised as a Good school by Ofsted under the new, more rigorous inspection regime.

The final report recognised the fantastic results achieved by the college over the past few years where: “Regardless of their starting points, ability or special educational needs, all groups of students make better progress than their peers nationally.”

The school received a grading of Good in all four of the inspection categories:  Achievement, Teaching, Behaviour & Safety and Leadership.  Inspectors praised the school’s leadership as good “at all levels” with a headteacher who has “very clear and passionate leadership” creating a “continuous drive for improvement.”

In feedback to the press, Mrs Millicent said: “Inspectors immediately recognised the positive ethos that makes Patchway a good school and as such a special place to work in and learn. This Ofsted judgement is a validation of all the success achieved at Patchway over the past few years.  Students here make exceptional progress and are given individual attention to make sure each and every one of them fulfils their potential. The staff at Patchway are fantastic and work as a committed team to provide a high standard of education for the community.  I am so pleased that the inspection has also recognised the happy, safe and caring environment which we have created here for our students.  I am very proud of all that has been achieved in the school and expect us to continue build on the Ofsted Good judgement to improve even further.”

The report praised the “focus on the quality of teaching”, which inspectors identified as key to the school’s success, commenting that in lessons “teachers are well aware of the needs of individual students in their classes”. 

The report recognised that “The personalised approach from the school engages parents and carers and they feel that the school goes the extra mile to support their child”. The school’s highly regarded pastoral systems, using experienced Heads of Year, was described as “strong” and “effective at promoting a happy, safe and engaging environment for students.”

Inspectors highlighted that “effective teamwork fosters good relationships within the school and is a feature of its success” and that “Good relationships exist between students and staff and this means that most lessons are purposeful and learning productive….. Students value the support and help given to them by staff and, as one Year 11 student said, ‘teachers will go out of their way to help you.’”

The report emphasised the breadth and the balance of opportunity at the school – from the “wide range of extra-curricular opportunities which allow students to extend their horizons” to the skills based Learning Challenge programme in Year 7 which “develops independence and supports learning well”.  Inspectors also praised the school for ensuring that “no students are discriminated against” and for “a range of initiatives that ensure that they read widely.”

The sixth form was recognised as “an important aspect of the school’s provision” and received high praise, with the report stating that: “Students’ attainment in the sixth form has improved strongly over the past three years. This is a result of good teaching and the school’s collaborative work with other providers.”

The school’s areas for further improvement identified in the report are to increase the proportion of outstanding lessons at Key Stage Three and to develop numeracy across the curriculum.  Inspectors recognised that literacy is already “well developed within the school” so that students continue to make “better progress than expected in English” when compared to their peers nationally.

Chair of Governors Geoff Howell added: “ I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised that Patchway is a Good school which provides quality education for the young people in the community”.

Key Quotes from the Inspection Report

·         All groups of students make better progress than their peers nationally.

·         Good leadership at all levels

·         A happy, safe and engaging environment for students

·         Teachers are well aware of the needs of individual students in their classes

·         Students have a very positive attitude towards their learning and want to achieve

·         Effective teamwork fosters good relationships within the school and is a feature of its success

·         No students are discriminated against

·         The sixth form….is an important aspect of the school’s provision and is helping to raise students’ aspirations further

·         The quality of teaching has improved strongly since the last inspection

·         The school actively promotes the benefits of reading and good communication skills.

·         Students’ relationships with each other are good.

·         Students feel safe and say if they report any concerns that they might have, they are dealt with quickly and effectively.

·         The school’s curriculum is carefully thought out.  The school provides a full range of appropriate courses for students.

·         A wide range of extra-curricular opportunities which allow students to extend their horizons

·         Governors know the school well and make good contribution to its development.