Sidmouth College rated good with many outstanding features

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted Friday, December 2, 2016 - 9:36am

Sidmouth College has been celebrating a glowing report from its recent Ofsted inspection.

The college continues to be recognised as a ‘good’ school with many outstanding features.

Inspectors from the school standards agency recognised the college’s rapid improvement over the last three years and said the outcomes achieved by students across all year groups was very strong.

They said the leadership within the college was a strength with the leadership team giving the college a clear direction which was driving the pace of improvement.

In a letter to principal James Ingham-Hill, the senior Ofsted inspector, Jim Sage, said: “The overall achievement of pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, was strong in 2016.

“The very large majority of current pupils in all year groups and in a wide range of subjects, including English and mathematics, make strong progress

“The clear direction and strong leadership you have provided since you took on the post of principal at the start of this school year have given impetus to increasing the pace of improvement. You have been supported well by other senior leaders and by governors.”

Mr Sage also praised the outstanding students attending the college.

He said: “Student behaviour in lessons is rarely less than good and often exemplary.

”Pupils enjoy coming to school and this is shown in their good attendance.”

Other highlights in the report include:

• The sixth form has improved and continues to improve
• The governance of the school is strong
• Within lessons, the progress of pupils is checked frequently and, if necessary, adjustments to the support they receive are made
• Safeguarding is a strength and permeates the life of the school

Mr Ingham-Hill said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the inspection.

“My staff, students and governors are outstanding and I am so pleased that their efforts have been recognised. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of my predecessor, Kenny Duncan, and his contribution to our current success.”

“It is important that the college continues to be highly respected by Ofsted.

“To gain such a positive report within an Ofsted framework that is so much more demanding than the previous one and also in such testing times for all schools in terms of financial support from the government, is a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment across the school community.”

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