Ofsted
Our last Ofsted inspection was 21st /22nd February 2024.
We are delighted to share the outcome of our February 2024 Ofsted inspection. Please click on the link at the bottom of this section to read our full report.
We achieved Outstanding for Personal development and Good in the other four categories: Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Leadership and management, and Sixth-form provision.
The report commends us for our ‘wide and ambitious’ curriculum and ‘inclusive community’, saying staff are proud to be part of the ‘Priesthorpe family’. Pupils are seen to develop strong bonds of friendship within small coaching groups where current affairs are discussed: “These groups also help to foster the strong relationships between pupils and staff that inspectors saw throughout the inspection.”
Ofsted reported:
“A particular strength of the school is the personal development offer. There are a huge range of clubs, trips and activities for pupils. These range from small clubs such as ‘computer coding’ to entry into national competitions and opportunities to experience high quality art installations. Leaders’ work to ensure that all pupils can take advantage of this contributes strongly to the sense of community and cohesion.”
The report acknowledges the way that staff identify pupils who need extra support:
“Staff have a strong understanding of pupils’ needs. For example, in lessons, teachers use the information they receive about disadvantaged pupils to organise their classrooms, adapt activities and ensure that all pupils are involved in lessons.”
Ofsted praised the way leaders know exactly what to do to continue with strong attendance. It emphasised the ‘striking example’ of pupil mentors where they “mentor their peers to encourage them to come to school. This helps pupils to develop their leadership skills and adds to the sense of a supportive environment.”
Joint Principals at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, Martin Blacoe and Louise Pratt, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that the inspection team recognised the work that goes on everyday to make sure we have an inclusive community where every student can thrive. Our achievements are based on a team effort, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our students, staff, parents, governors, and wider community for their continued support, which makes a real difference”.
CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, Dr Chris Tomlinson, said of the news:
“We’re delighted to receive this rating from Ofsted, acknowledging the huge steps that leaders and staff have taken to create a fantastic inclusive learning community for all students at Priesthorpe. Pupils feel valued and supported, and ultimately, Ofsted have seen the way that nurturing the pupil/staff relationships has helped students to become ‘highly motivated’. Congratulations to the senior leadership team, the pupils, family and staff - a richly deserved rating.”
Ofsted Information for Parents and Carers
Ofsted inspections explained for Parents
Reading Ofsted reports is likely to be one of the first things you do when you’re choosing a school for your child, but what do the inspections actually involve?
Which schools are inspected by Ofsted?
All state-maintained schools in England are inspected by Ofsted. This includes local authority-run schools, academies and free schools. ‘We also inspect those independent schools that are not associated with one of the independent schools inspectorates,’ adds Sean Harford, Ofsted’s National Director for Schools.
How often are schools inspected?
The frequency of inspection is determined by how good a school is. Good schools are inspected within five years of their last inspection, and Outstanding schools (except special schools, pupil referral units and maintained nursery schools) are exempt from inspection.
Schools that have an Inadequate or Requires Improvement judgement are inspected more often, with inspectors monitoring their progress on a regular basis.
How much notice do schools get?
Normally, schools get half a day’s notice of a full inspection, but Ofsted has the power to go into schools without any notice if it considers it necessary. This could be if they have received concerns about a school, possibly from a parent.
What happens during an inspection?
Usually, inspections last for two days, although the new inspection framework means that Good schools will have one-day inspections. The number of inspectors varies depending on the size and type of a school, but the team will include His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) and/or contracted Ofsted inspectors – normally practising headteachers and deputy heads.
Before the inspection, the inspectors gather information about the school by reading the previous Ofsted report, reports of any interim monitoring, any complaints that have been raised about the school, academic data, information about funding, and information from the school’s website.
‘During the inspection, inspectors will observe lessons, check records and gather a range of evidence to inform their judgements, including speaking to staff, governors, pupils and parents and scrutinising pupils’ work,’ Sean explains. ‘Through these activities we are able to build a clear picture of what life is like at the school and how well pupils are learning.’ The main focus is on teaching and learning; inspectors will sit in on lessons, look through children’s books and folder and talk to them about not just their understanding, but also how engaged they are in their learning.
What are the inspectors looking at?
Ofsted inspectors look at five main areas: the quality of education; the behaviour and attitude of pupils; the quality of leadership and management; the personal development of pupils; and the Post-16 provision. ‘From this, inspectors make a judgement on the overall effectiveness of the school,’ Sean explains.
How quickly do schools get the results?
Most schools get a draft copy of the report soon after the inspection. ‘This is an opportunity for them to check it for factual accuracy and make any comments before it’s published,’ Sean says. The final report is then usually sent to the school within 10 days, and published on Ofsted’s website within 15 days, although if a school is judged Inadequate, this can take up to 28 days to allow extra moderation.
What are the possible outcomes?
Schools receive a judgement for each of the five inspection areas, and an overall judgement. There are four categories: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement (previously Satisfactory) and Inadequate.