In recent years the school has been transformed.  This was recognised in the summer 2022 Ofsted inspection where the judgement was ‘Good’ and the report recognised many strengths across each of the different key areas.  Ofsted commented that:

The school continues on a journey of transformation; in September 2024, I was appointed  as new Headteacher and there are new senior leaders responsible for raising achievement and behaviour and attitudes.  Staff are working closely with the local authority to plan an exciting state-of-the-art new build which has a provisional completion date for 2026.  These facilities will cater for the needs, abilities and aspirations of our young people.  Regardless of this, a school is not the building, but the people.  James Calvert Spence staff know the pupils very well; they provide excellent care and there is a strong commitment to developing teaching and learning through extensive high-quality training.

Building high aspirations in our young people is central to our work; we want them to develop independence in what they do inside and outside the classroom so that they are well prepared for the future.  Our curriculum is broad and guided choices ensure that the pupils progress on to excellent higher education, apprenticeship and employment destinations.

James Calvert Spence College continues to be a welcoming school and I look forward to continuing our development so that we are at the very heart of a prosperous and positive Amble community.

Sincerely,

James Andriot, Headteacher