School’s pride at inspectors’ praise
BETTER BEHAVIOUR, FEWER EXCLUSIONS AND BULLYING REDUCED
HUDDERSFIELD’S largest school has been praised for reducing bullying and improving behaviour and learning.
Schools watchdog Ofsted has awarded Colne Valley High School a ‘Good’ overall rating – just 17 months after it was ticked off by inspectors for excluding too many pupils and not dealing with pupil absences.
The 1,300-pupil Linthwaite school was previously given a ‘requires improvement’ rating following an inspection in June 2017.
But after a further inspection last month, Ofsted said the principal, Jimmy Christian, who took up the post two years ago, had made significant changes and had the confidence of parents, staff and pupils.
Ofsted said: “He (Mr Christian) has made significant changes.
“Pupils and parents appreciate the improvements in behaviour and learning. Changes to teaching staff have reduced.
“There are now fewer temporary teachers. Leaders communicate well with parents. They have good links with those in the community.”
Teachers are fair and consistent in dealing with pupils’ behaviour, the report noted.
“Most lessons proceed without interruption. Most pupils co-operate, take part in lessons and enjoy learning.
“Teachers make sure that they include pupils with special needs and/ or disabilities in their lessons.”
Parents and pupils say that pupils are safe and that bullying is uncommon.
“There are fewer incidents of bullying. Most pupils say that teachers deal with bullying well when it occurs.”
Ofsted identified some areas where the school could do better.
School leaders have identified subjects where the curriculum has not been fully developed. Subject experts are being brought in to improve teaching in weaker subjects.
Ofsted said that almost all pupils who left the school last year entered education, training or employment.
“Leaders have improved attendance. Attendance is good. Leaders have also reduced exclusions. Fewer disadvantaged pupils miss school. This has benefited pupils’ learning.”
Mr Christian said: “It fills me with immense pride and pleasure that Colne Valley High School has been awarded a ‘Good’ judgment following our recent OFSTED inspection. We achieved ‘Good’ in all four categories: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development and Leadership and Management.
“I am delighted for the school and for our community, it is what everyone deserves. The school has been on such a journey since it was placed into Special Measures but the community and school have shown exceptional resilience in driving the school to ‘Good’.
“I care passionately about young people and believe strongly that every child within the Colne Valley deserves a good secondary school to attend. They now do! “I am fully aware of the strengths and areas for improvement within the school and this was ratified during our inspection. There will be no complacency. We will continue to drive this amazing school forward by improving the consistency in all we do. We are still on a journey and we will be relentless in ensuring all students and staff can achieve their best.
“I would like to thank everyone for their continuing support.”
Pupils and parents
appreciate the improvements in behaviour and
learning