OFSTED STATEMENT FROM NEIL RODGERS, EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER:
You will be aware that we had an Ofsted inspection in June. The report has now been finalised and will be published on the Ofsted website next week.
You can find a full copy on the letters page of the school website, but the news I am delighted to be able to share with you is that James Calvert Spence College is now rated as a ‘Good’ school!
WE WERE JUDGED AS BEING A GOOD SCHOOL IN ALL CATEGORIES:
• Quality of education
• Behaviour and attitudes
• Personal development
• Leadership and management
• Sixth form provision
• Overall effectiveness
This is an improvement on our previous judgement of ‘Requires Improvement’ and is the first time that JCSC
(or Coquet High School) has ever been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
We are absolutely delighted with this
outcome which is a true reflection and just reward for the hard work and dedication of all members of our
team, across several years.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORT ARE:
• “Pupils are proud to attend this safe and welcoming school. Staff are warm and friendly.”
• “Pupils know what staff expect of them. They are keen to do well.”
• “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn well. Highly trained staff
provide the right support for each pupil.”
• “Pupils who struggle with reading receive effective support right from the start. Pupils speak
enthusiastically about how much their reading has improved.”
• “Pupils learn about how to stay safe and physically healthy. They learn strategies to support their
mental health. Pupils learn to treat people respectfully whatever their background.”
• “Students in the sixth form are proud to be part of the school. Staff support them to choose courses
that meet their interests and needs.”
• “Curriculum planning in the sixth form is extremely strong. Students speak with knowledge and
enthusiasm about the subjects they study in Years 12 and 13.”
• “Students in the sixth form continue to learn about healthy relationships and mental health. They
know how to look after themselves as they grow into young adults.”
• “Pupils with SEND access the same learning as their peers. Teachers know when and how to adapt
their approach so that pupils’ learning needs are met.”
• “Provision for key stage 2 pupils has improved greatly. Leaders plan the curriculum so that pupils
have the knowledge and skills they will need in key stage 3. Pupils are taught by subject specialists
in every subject from Year 6 onwards.”
• “Leaders have invested heavily in staff training, especially in curriculum development. This work has
been effective in improving the curriculum in most subject areas. Staff are enthused by the training
and support they receive. Morale is high.”
As always, the report also gives some areas for us to focus on, and we have already started to address these.
We are determined to continue our journey of improvement with the goal of becoming an ‘Outstanding’
school for our community.
I am grateful for the continued support of students, staff, parents and the wider community that has been
so important through some challenging times in recent years. I am delighted that all children in the Coquet
partnership now attend good schools, and the reassurance that will give their parents around the quality of
education at all stages.
