Ivybridge Community College celebrates ‘outstanding’ Ofsted status
Ivybridge Community College staff and students are celebrating after achieving a fifth ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report in a row.
It is one of a small few schools in the UK to have received an outstanding rating in every one of its inspections since Ofsted was established in 1992 and the only secondary school in Devon to have retained this status since the Ofsted framework was updated in January 2012.
The glowing report – which follows the best GCSE results in the College’s history – praised the College across the full Ofsted criteria, giving the highest possible ratings for:
• achievements of pupils
• quality of teaching
• behaviour of students
• leadership and management
Inspectors were impressed with every area of Ivybridge Community College’s operations, remarking: “The excellent leadership of the Principal, governing body and other senior leaders successfully provides the drive and ambition needed to further improve the quality of teaching and hence raise the students’ achievement.”
Principal Rob Haring, who took over the reins at Ivybridge Community College in January 2010, praised the commitment of everyone involved. He said: “This is a marvellous result for the College and a true reflection of the hard work and dedication put in by everyone – from our teaching staff right through to our students, governors and parents. Deeply embedded within the culture of the College is a relentless focus on learning and teaching of the very highest standard, so it is tremendously rewarding to receive such positive external validation.”
Outstanding curriculum
In addition to the report’s pages of commendation for the College, Mr Paul Sadler, Ofsted’s Lead Inspector, said there was “exceptionally strong learning” and that “a commitment for learning across the school and high aspirations of students and staff are a particular strength.” He added that “lessons were such that students could not but be helped to be swept up in to the enthusiasm of learning and teaching” and that “students’ thirst for knowledge and love of learning has a positive impact on students’ behaviour.”
“The outstanding curriculum is a notable strength of the College,” added the report. "Because of outstanding teaching of numeracy and, especially, literacy, students have the skills needed to make rapid progress in a wide range of subjects.”
“Teachers have very high expectations of their students, and relationships between staff and students are outstanding. For example, in Year 13 Chemistry a discussion…had more of the atmosphere of a university tutorial than a school lesson.”
The findings of the inspection are reflected in this year’s GCSE and A Level results at the College, with a record breaking 77% 5 A*–C including English and Maths and 100% pass rate in the latter, with one in five being either an A or A* grade.
Excellent enrichment opportunities
Alongside the College’s academic prowess is a plethora (two hundred) of extra-curricular activities for Years 7 to 13. These enrichment opportunities provide additional learning experiences which also enhance the College’s outstanding status.
“Students excel at Sport and PE,” added the report, “and many students have represented their region or country in a wide range of sports including rugby union, basketball and sailing.”
Commendable behaviour and safety
Behaviour and safety at the College was also seen as an extremely strong attribute, with inspectors noting: “Students typically behave very well and relate well to each other and to adults…the drive to raise self-esteem is at the heart of the College’s work and demonstrates its commitment to equality of opportunity and the fostering of good relationships by challenging any form of discrimination, including racism and homophobia.”
Notably, the report also summarised the College’s very special status, both locally and nationally, as one of the best schools in the country. Lead Inspector Paul Sadler added: “Outstanding school status remains a great accolade to have. It is not easy, especially under the new framework.”
Key findings of the inspection
The key findings of Ivybridge Community College’s Ofsted inspection include:
• “All students make excellent progress when learning a wide range of subjects, including English and Mathematics. Their attainment in GCSE, A Level and AS Level and other examinations is high.”
• “Because of the outstanding teaching of numeracy and especially literacy, students have the skills needed to make rapid progress in a wide range of subjects.”
• “Teachers have very high expectations of students. As a result, they have high levels of self-confidence and excellent attitudes to learning. Assessment is used very well to set demanding targets and to show students how to improve their work.”
• “Students’ behaviour in lessons and around the College is excellent.”
• “The outstanding curriculum is a notable strength of the College.”
• “The outstanding 200 clubs and out-of-College activities, very effectively promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.”
• “The excellent leadership of the Principal, governing body and other senior leaders successfully provides the drive and ambition needed to further improve the quality of teaching and hence to raise students’ achievement.”
• “The sixth form is of outstanding quality, with excellent teaching delivering high attainment at AS and A Level and prepares students very well for higher education and employment.”
• “Students’ attainment and progress greatly exceeded almost all key national benchmarks” at the end of Year 11 2012.”
• “The proportion attaining the highest grades of A* and A in many subjects including English Literature, History and Physics were also well above average.”
• “The proportion of excellent teaching seen by inspectors was very high.”
• “The subject expertise of teachers is used very well. From the start of Year 7 Physics, Chemistry and Biology are taught separately by experts in these fields.”
• “Students are enthusiastic about their learning.”
• “Excellent teaching lies at the heart of the Principal’s vision.”
• “The curriculum is a major strength of the College.”
• “The governing body has an excellent understanding of its roles and responsibilities.”
• “The outstanding Principal took on a major challenge in succeeding a predecessor under whose leadership the College was already highly successful. He has succeeded in further raising students’ achievements.”
The full Ofsted inspection of Ivybridge Community College is available at http://goo.gl/0Kz65G
