A secondary school that was rated ‘requires improvement’ is now “proud” to receive a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted.
Carterton Community College was rated ‘good’ in its latest Ofsted inspection this month and recognised that “Carterton Community College is a school where relationships matter, and staff get to know pupils well.”
As one pupil said to the lead inspector: “It is like one big family here.”
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Many positive comments were made by inspectors in the latest Ofsted report including that "The headteacher has changed the culture of the school" to focus more on learning.
The inspectors also highlighted in the report that pupils with special educational needs or disabilities also enjoy their lessons.
However, Ofsted did comment that the curriculum does not successfully meet the needs of all pupils with SEND.
In the report it states: “Staff are mindful of the different needs pupils have and they make changes to their teaching so that it is right for pupils.
"Despite this, some pupils with SEND make slower progress because staff do not know enough about what will help them in lessons.
"Leaders have made some important changes to improve this. For example, staff are being provided with more helpful information about these pupils than before.”
The schools approach to safeguarding was also deemed to be effective and inspectors recognised that staff understand the community that pupils and their families live in.
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This new ‘good’ rating comes after it was marked ‘requires improvement’ in 2018.
At the inspection four years ago, Ofsted commented that in 2017, pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, made below-average progress overall. It added that pupils’ rates of progress were too variable because of differences in the quality of teaching that they experience.
Despite the challenges of Covid, Carterton Community College has built on its progress from the positive January 2020 Inspection Monitoring Visit, which recognised that the school was taking the right actions to achieve good in the next inspection, which it has now achieved.
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This month inspectors noted that the school’s improved curriculum prepares students well for the future and that its students are fully invested in the school.
Chair of Governors, Ian Courtney said: “The significant improvements to our school since the previous inspection are the result of the collective commitment of our students, parents/carers and families, staff and governors, as well as our partners in education, business, services and the wider community and the local authority.
“Our good judgement is because everyone involved in the school has worked hard for it and will continue working to maintain a high-quality education for all our students.”
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