Parent Forum 10 th January 2013

Outline of session – Raising Standards How do we compare with other schools on results ? What are we doing to make progress ? Findings from our recent OFSTED Inspection What action have we taken ? We want you ideas Comments and suggestions for further Parent Forum

Standards – How do we compare with other schools? National benchmarks Things we do well in: 5+A*-C 5A*-G 1A*-G Average Point score English, Art, ICT, Business, Technology Subjects, Music, separate Science – all above or close to national average Things we need to improve: 5+A*-C including English and Maths % of students achieving expected 3 levels progress in Maths Maths A*-C grades, Core / Additional Science, GCSE PE, History, RE English Baccalaureate

What are we doing to improve? Maths – Working with Heathfield School – for last 18months Review of Teaching and Learning Change from modular course to linear Change of Exam board All students entered in November – then given opportunity to achieve a higher grade in March and June New staff to support Smaller classes in Year 11

Other things we have done to improve results Smaller – intervention classes in English Closer tracking of key students to check progress – not just C grades Broader range of exams – GCSE and vocational School to school support – learning from other schools experience

OFSTED 14 th – 16th November

What does OFSTED look at ? No notice inspections – difficult to let parents know (Year 12 Celebration Evening, Children in Need Day, Science interviews ) 2 day inspection – 4 Inspectors Day 1, 3 Inspectors Day 2 Strong focus on Classroom Observation, interviews Strong focus on data – KS4 results from last 2-3 years What has the school done since the last inspection ? New Framework – September 2012 – more rigorous 4 Key areas – Achievement, Teaching and Learning, Behaviour and Safety, Leadership and Management

What does OFSTED not recognise ? Vertical House system Our good teams, our extra clubs, our Christmas Cabaret Our wide programme of trips, visits Our links with the local community/ primary schools – work experience They didn’t recognise what a happy, welcoming and safe school Court Fields is

What did they think was positive about the school ? Behaviour is a strength of the report Calm and purposeful learning environment They recognised very good relationships between students and students and students and staff They recognised we have very good results in some subjects They saw outstanding teaching in History and ICT and good teaching in every subject but not in all classes They thought we had brought in new changes and new staff

What did they say we need to improve ? Improve teaching rapidly across the school – ensure there is consistently good practice Make sure teachers are consistent in enforcing the school’s behaviour policy Improve leadership at all levels to bring about rapid improvement

What have we done already since OFSTED ? Achievement Maths – results already 53% for Maths this year Embedding data – teachers know what progress is being made Teaching and Learning Lesson Plans for progress. Training Encouraging more independent learning/ Differentiation Behaviour and Safety – Taken out Warnings Leadership – External support for Leaders

What other plans do we have ? Increase in Accountability Faculty Reviews Visits to classrooms Training

What next ? Further HMI visits to assess progress 1 st visit – 4-6 weeks – end of visit a letter giving update on progress published Further monitoring visits – no notice, report on progress published When HMI recognise enough improvement has been made then school will be re-inspected and taken out of Special Measures LA working with the school to produce an Action Plan Come and visit the school – see for yourself

Group Activity We would like to know: What you think is valuable about the school – what you want us to keep doing ? What you want us to stop doing or change ? How you think you might help ? Any other questions or comments

Any questions ? Suggestions for future Parent Forums