Shocking Newent Community School Ofsted report - parents to meet school leaders
CONCERNED parents will be told tonight how school leaders in Newent are dealing with a damning inspection report.
Mums, dads and carers of children at Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre have seen the Ofsted report, which places the comprehensive in special measures.
The report, yet to be made public by Ofsted, together with a letter to parents from headteacher Jane Steele, have been seen by The Citizen.
Mrs Steele accepts rapid improvement is needed in important areas, but doesn't agree with Ofsted's finding that it's an "inadequate" school.
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In her letter, she said: "We do accept that the Ofsted report has highlighted a number of extremely important areas where the school needs to rapidly improve.
"However, we really do believe that we are not an inadequate school. Staff and governors are totally committed and we will all do everything now to demonstrate this to Ofsted when they return later in the year."
The report rates pupils' achievement, teaching quality, and leadership and management "inadequate". Behaviour and safety of pupils is classed as "requiring improvement".
Inspectors who visited last month were particularly critical of achievement of less able students and those with special educational needs.
GCSE results are improving for top end and mid-grade students, and many go on to a sixth form which Ofsted said was "good".
But inspectors said the school too often focuses on getting students to grade C or above at GCSE, while not using extra money for less able students well enough.
National Union of Teachers Gloucestershire secretary John Pemberthy said the new Ofsted inspections' focus is narrow and data driven.
"My reading of the report is that while showing weaknesses, improvement mainly needs to focus more on pupil progress across the abilities," he said.
Mrs Steele and chairman of governors Steve Huckvale are set to address parents' concerns at a meeting tonight.
4 Comments
by glawsteruk1
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 6:13PM
“We all know where the Editor' sympathies lie, as demonstrated by the space continually devoted to certain private institutions in the city.”
by pjquick
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 1:10PM
“I am a parent of children at Newent and certainly do not think it is an inadequate school. The report does not show a true reflection of the positive aspects of the school (of which there are many). It has completely demoralised hard working staff and pupils. Ofsted has a lot to answer for - the report is narrow, damaging and irresponsible. Let's not forget that it is the tax payer paying for these very expensive reports - we should all be making our opinions known to Ofsted and demanding fairer,fuller,realistic, more rounded inspections that take into account all aspects of school life.”
by GlosCity33
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 10:05AM
“As usual a very negative report from this paper. Newent community school is a good school with fantastic GCSE results and this report is very misleading .How can you possibly get a thorough and reliable report completed when you are judged on a two day basis in a school year with inspectors observing approx 50 from 200 lessons for 6-7 minutes instead of the 15-20 minutes required and these lessons contained supply teachers aswell. 0f these observed 55% were deemed good.Where is that mentioned in your paper?The GCSE results are improving year on year and are above the national average which is ultimately,as a parent,the outcome you want to achieve for your child.Of course there are areas of concern with regards to marking of work and consistent teaching for all abilities but action plans are already firmly under way and changes already in effect showing how good this school really is in acting on so called weaknesses.The school is a good school in many ways and a write up from your paper with an equally fair,positive vibe to your almost completely negative one would have been a more professional reporting stance .”
by Beekeeper
Monday, February 25 2013, 9:53PM
“The editor's pompous empty words contribute nothing - as usual.”