School’s delight at Ofsted result

STAFF and students at a Northumberland school are celebrating after going from ‘requiring improvement’ to ‘good’.

In 2018, James Calvert Spence College, on Acklington Road, in Amble, was told it needed improvement. However the new ‘good’ rating was given after a visit from Ofsted inspectors in June.

This is the first time the school has ever been classed as ‘good’, earning the rating in all main categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.

The latest inspection report, which has been published on the Ofsted website, says: “Pupils are proud to attend this safe and welcoming school. Staff are warm and friendly. The words ‘pride’ and ‘respect’ form the basis of the well-structured behaviour policy.”

It further says “pupils know what staff expect of them” and “they are keen to do well”. The report adds: “Governors are knowledgeable and experienced. There is a strong commitment to improving the school at all levels of leadership.

“Leaders have invested heavily in staff training, especially in curriculum development. This work has been effective in improving the curriculum in most subject areas. Staff are enthused by the training and support they receive. Morale is high.”

However, there are also some areas that need improvement. Inspectors said: “The school’s curriculum is not yet sufficiently well planned and sequenced in some subjects, including RE and history. Pupils do not learn as well as they should.

“However, it is clear from leaders’ actions that they are in the process of bringing this about. For this reason, the transitional arrangements have been applied. Leaders should ensure that they complete the process of clearly identifying what pupils need to know within all subjects to a consistently high standard.”

Neil Rodgers, executive headteacher, said the school had already started to address the issues highlighted by inspectors and their aim was to become an ‘outstanding’ school. He added: “We are absolutely delighted with this outcome which is a true reflection and just reward for the hard work and dedication of all members of our team, across several years.”