Ahead of the Ofsted inspector’s report on Sandown Bay Academy being released, the Academy have issued the following release. In their own words. Ed
Three Ofsted inspectors visited Sandown Bay Academy on the 1st and 2nd October to report on the Academy’s progress in improving out of Special Measures.
Improvements in the quality of teaching were seen and praised by the inspectors and a number of students enthusiastically told the inspectors that they were seeing teachers changing the way that they teach.
Approval to employ new teachers
As a result of improvements like this, the Academy was authorised to employ Newly Qualified Teachers. Lesley Walters, Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, said:
“Staff have been working really hard to develop new ways of engaging students and we’ve been really pleased that OFSTED have seen this in the classrooms.”
Students say
“The lessons are more focussed so I enjoy them more” (Year 10 student)
“Teaching is better and I am clear on what I need to do to improve” (Year 11 student)
“The school is helping me focus because lessons are better planned” (Year 10 student)
Exceptional A2 level results
Academy A2 level results were exceptional this year, with 30% of all grades being A*-A. GCSE results went up this summer, from 40% 5A*-C (including Maths and English) to 47%.
This was a very strong improvement in results, especially as results nationally dipped in 2013. Ofsted acknowledged this welcome sign of improvement but also drew attention to the fact that the Academy has further to go, as some of the Academy’s own targets were missed.
Iain Vickers, Vice Principal for Student Achievement said,
“Whilst we’re pleased to see strong improvements in exam results for some courses, we know that we still have work to do in order to improve across all subjects and this is being addressed by our improvement plan.”
Ofsted noted that discipline has tightened and bullying has decreased significantly. Whilst the Academy has worked hard to bring about these improvements, the inspectors thought that more work needed to be done to publicise the improved systems which the Academy has introduced.
Students have responded positively
Cath Scallon, the Vice Principal for Student Welfare said:
“Over the last few months I have been really impressed at the way our students have responded so positively to us raising expectations for uniform and behaviour.”
Students say
“My teachers set down good ground rules” (Year 7 student) and “when people mess around, teachers deal with it better” (Year 9 student)
Academy attendance has already improved by 1.5%, but OFSTED noted with concern that poor attendance amongst some groups of students is still preventing them from achieving exam results. The Academy is working hard with Educational Welfare services to reach out to non-attenders and absence is down by just under 3%.
Strong support from Academy sponsor
Overall Ofsted noted that the Academy’s sponsors, AET and Hampshire were strongly supporting improvements within the Academy. However, a complicated re-structuring of staffing at Easter had led to the Academy improving too slowly at that point in time. OFSTED were pleased to see that improvements have since accelerated again and that Senior staff are showing themselves very strongly committed to bringing about further improvements.
Shaheen Khan-Jones, the Principal said: “Staff are working very hard and we’re beginning to see the fruits of their dedication and commitment.”
John Gansler, Chair of Governors said:
“The commitment and professionalism shown by all staff at the Academy have resulted in real improvements in performance. However OFSTED expectations are very demanding. There is much still to be done, but I am sure that the Academy is in a good position to reach the high standard of excellence we all wish.”
Update: Headline changed from ‘Ofsted sees improvements in teaching at Sandown Bay Academy’ to ‘Ofsted sees improvements in teaching say Sandown Bay Academy’
