Ridgeway School Ofsted: It's officially good to be there!

ClareG
Authored by ClareG
Posted: Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 10:14

STAFF and students have started 2016 on a high after Ofsted inspectors commended Ridgeway School’s continuing improvement.

Ridgeway School has been awarded a ‘Good’ by the Government education watchdog, Ofsted in a report published today.

Inspectors have praised the new principal of the Plympton academy for providing 'dynamic leadership'.

The academy has also been praised for its pupil outcomes, its ‘Transition’ programme – effectively supporting children from primary to secondary school, its clear culture of safety and effective lessons ‘ where no time is wasted.’

Lisa Boorman took over as principal on 4 January with her leadership focusing on 'rapid but sustainable improvement in all aspects of the academy’s life,' according to the Ofsted inspectors -who visited Ridgeway just 10 days later.

Ms Boorman said: “I am happy that this report is a fair and accurate reflection of where we are in our journey to become one of the best schools across Plymouth and, Devon.

“We are always happy to have people visit our school and reflect on the positive impact the work of our staff have on the students, but with just the 24 hours notice that OFSTED gives, it demonstrates that this is every day practice. As such, I am particularly pleased to see how this report presents us – we are ambitious for our students, and this is reflected in Ofsted’s findings.”

Ridgeway School was scrutinised across a range of areas including the academy’s overall effectiveness, how the academy is led and managed, pupils' outcomes and quality of teaching and learning.

The inspectors say the academy's leadership and management, its quality of teaching, student behaviour and welfare are all now good.

"The newly appointed principal has already had a positive impact on the academy, as she did in her previous role as a deputy principal. She has a very clear understanding of the academy’s strengths and weaknesses," say the inspectors in their report.

Staff morale is high, with the vast majority of those who responded to an online staff survey saying they were proud to work in the academy and it was well managed.

"Subject and year leaders are a strength of the academy. They work very well together as a group and are having a positive impact on improving outcomes across the academy," say the inspectors.

Teaching is good and characterised by effective planning, high levels of challenge and useful feedback to pupils, they add.

Pupils meanwhile are courteous and friendly and conduct themselves well. Their behaviour in lessons is good and they are well cared for.

Governors, add the inspectors, are not only committed to improving the academy further they also have a clear understanding of its strengths and weaknesses and what it needs to do next.

And, say the inspectors, Ridgeway which has 852 pupils aged 11 to 19 on its school roll, isn't yet an outstanding academy because, ‘although teaching in the sixth form is typically good and often characterised by high expectations, it still needs improvement.

Senior leaders acknowledge it needs improvement, they, the report says: "have a clear understanding of the next steps that need to be taken to improve the quality of education provided in the sixth form."

http://www.ridgeway.plymouth.sch.uk/ofsted/

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