Ofsted Inspection 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following our recent Ofsted inspection, I am writing to share the outcomes of the report and, most importantly, to outline the plans we are putting in place to ensure our school moves forward successfully.

We were categorised as ‘good’ in three areas and ‘requires improvement’ in two areas which we are understandably disappointed about. There were concerns raised by some students, parents and staff about the inspection process and we have put these forward to Ofsted. However, we do accept the findings and are now focusing on making the improvements that we know are needed in specific areas. Firstly though, I am very keen to emphasise that the report recognises many of the excellent qualities of our school and the things we are doing very well.

Inspectors praised the countless opportunities for pupils to develop positive character traits, noting that our students show courage, confidence and resilience. They highlighted the inclusive and nurturing environment where pupils feel happy and free to be themselves. The calm and orderly atmosphere in school was also noted, with students behaving respectfully and kindly towards each other and staff. This is something that is very important to us – and which we are rightly proud of. Our commitment to Personal Development was recognised as a key strength. Initiatives such as the Dementia Café were described as shining examples of how pupils learn vital life skills alongside developing empathy and responsibility. Our careers guidance, personal development programme and wider enrichment offer were also highlighted as strong and impactful.

Importantly, our safeguarding arrangements were found to be effective and attendance is consistently above national averages. This demonstrates that our pupils want to come to school, which again is hugely important to us.

However, we know that last year’s academic outcomes had dropped from previous years, and that not all pupils are learning as well as they should be. The report makes clear that while our new curriculum and staff stability are showing early signs of improvement, these changes need more time and support to be fully embedded, which we are prioritising.

We are absolutely committed to addressing these areas and are taking the following actions:

• Continuing to support staff to ensure Teaching and Learning is consistently good across all subjects.
• Prioritising high quality recruitment to ensure we have subject specialists in all curriculum areas
• A continued focus on behaviour to ensure all our pupils can learn well and achieve to their full potential

We are working closely with the Trust and governing body to ensure robust oversight and accountability. Our leadership team has already begun implementing an action plan that responds directly to the report’s recommendations, and we will keep you updated on our progress.

Thank you for your ongoing support. While the outcome of the inspection may not reflect the full picture of our school, it does give us a clear path forward. We are approaching this with a continued focus on what matters most, which is ensuring your children receive the very best education and care.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the report further, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. With kind regards,

Tanya Kelvie - Headteacher

Download a copy

To download the latest Ofsted report please Click Here.