This in from Cowes Enterprise College, in their own words, Ed
A significant increase in good or outstanding teaching is having a positive impact on the progress made by students at Cowes Enterprise College, according to Ofsted’s latest monitoring report (due out next week).
Inspectors visited the college on 20 and 21 November, and in their subsequent monitoring report, have awarded their best possible feedback – that of ‘reasonable progress’ – whilst verbal comments to the college during the visit were very positive. In addition, they gave the go-ahead for the college to appoint newly qualified teachers.
Praise for sensible decisions
Inspectors found students’ achievement in English to be particularly encouraging; for example, 64% of students achieved a Grade C or above in GCSE English this summer, compared with 47% the previous year.
Inspectors praised ‘sensible decisions’ to amend the college’s curriculum and highlighted improvements in sixth form students’ achievements. They also comment that ‘robust monitoring of teaching with effective training is continuing to have a positive impact on the quality of teaching across the college’.
In twelve months, there had been a 55% increase in the number of lessons where teaching was graded good or better.
Governing Body remains well informed
The Governing Body is said to be monitoring the college’s progress and is well informed of the impact of actions being taken to improve teaching and students’ achievements. Inspectors also noted that: “plans for the college to become a sponsored academy with Ormiston Academy Trust are progressing well.”
Chair of Governors at Cowes Enterprise College, Rachael Fidler, said:
“I would like to thank Interim Principal Christine Hardman for the fantastic work she has done at the college. She will leave a good legacy in the form of very robust structures, from which Cowes can continue to progress. Ofsted has acknowledged her contribution towards the college’s improved monitoring and evaluation procedures, and I am confident that the new principal Rebecca Pearce will build on these foundations to bring an exciting new chapter to the college in January.
“The college has also received a lot of support from Ormiston Academies Trust, which has formed a progress board with local authority representation to ensure that the college’s improvement plan is implemented successfully. Ofsted has found that the support provided by OAT and the local authority has already been effective, and we are looking forward to developing this relationship as we move towards academy status.”
Interim Executive Principal Christine Hardman said:
“I am delighted that the hard work of staff and students is beginning to have a real impact. This has been achieved through focusing on the Continued Professional Development of our teachers and by closely monitoring the quality of teaching and learning.
“There is always room for improvement, but I have every confidence that the upward trend recognised in the inspectors’ report will continue. This is a school poised to move towards outstanding success for all of our young people.”
