COLMERS School and Sixth Form College in Longbridge has received a ‘requires improvement’ grade in its latest Ofsted inspection after more than 15 years of ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ ratings.
Following the two-day inspection in April, personal development, leadership and management and sixth-form provision were all graded as ‘good’ whilst the school’s quality of education and behaviour and attitudes ‘required improvement’.
The report found in some instances pupils had gaps in key knowledge due to poor choice of learning activities or materials.
And teachers were inconsistent with their awareness of pupils’ knowledge or progress.
Although leaders had set out clear policies and procedures to manage pupils’ behaviour and staff were trained to implement these, some staff did not do so consistently, leading to a lack of understanding about the consequences of misbehaviour among students.
Ofsted also highlighted the high rate of suspensions and isolations and a lack of support to prevent those pupils from repeating unwanted behaviours.
The school received positive feed back on the design of a broad and ambitious curriculum, the personal development of their students, their SEND provision, their safeguarding and their sixth form.
Ofsted did praise staff for their commitment, their high expectations of students, their strong governance and their keen desire to improve.
Most pupils behaved well, were friendly and courteous and the report noted how levels of disruption in lessons was frustrating for keen learners.
Teacher subject knowledge and overall planning for pupils’ learning was positively highlighted and inspectors said pupils were well supported and taught to respect different cultures and traditions.
Support for SEND students was commended, learners’ special needs were identified well and adaptations to the curriculum for these pupils were made effectively.
Pupils had a good understanding of personal safety, relationships and social issues due to a well-planned personal development programme.
Safeguarding was effective with pupils aware of dangers and how to access necessary support, with staff well trained in safeguarding.
The sixth-form was praised for a high quality of learning and confidence among students who were supportive of their younger peers.
And leaders were praised for their consideration of staff workload and support for less experienced staff.
The school’s headteacher Emma Leaman said: “The snapshot of the school exposed some inconsistency that we were already addressing.
“We are hugely ambitious for our students, which was recognised.
“We are blessed with an incredibly committed staff team and I am in no doubt we will be judged ‘outstanding’ when Ofsted returns in two years’ time.
“I welcome any parent or carer considering sending their child to us to come and visit, knowing that they will see an incredibly positive and inclusive school culture in which we combine high expectations with tremendous support for our children “and families.”
