Ofsted award top marks to sixth form at Ashfield school
Staff and pupils at an Ashfield secondary school are celebrating after receiving top marks from Ofsted inspectors for its sixth form provision.
The sixth form at Ashfield Comprehensive School in Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield was said to be “well respected” and its leadership “highly effective” according to the inspection report published on March 26.
The school was given the new ‘Strong Standard’ rating for post 16 with inspectors saying: “The post‑16 provision at Ashfield School is well respected, and its leadership is highly effective. The curriculum is broad and ambitious. The extensive offer ensures that students receive the support and guidance they need to reach their next steps and aspirations.”
Under Ofsted’s new inspection framework a "Strong Standard" rating indicates a setting is performing well above "Expected Standard".
The school was also given the seal of approval in the other six areas inspected including achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance and personal development and wellbeing – all achieving an “Expected Standard” rating.
Praising achievement at the school inspectors said: “Typically, pupils at this school achieve well, which is reflected in their results in national examinations. Pupils who are disadvantaged achieve above-average outcomes in some external examinations. This reflects the school’s approach to raising aspirations and ensuring that all pupils are well supported in achieving their next steps.”
Attendance and behaviour at the school were also highlighted in the report, following the inspection in January.
The report states: “Leaders have recently made changes to the school’s behaviour policy. This has helped ensure that staff have high expectations of how pupils behave. Leaders have created an environment where bullying and discrimination are not tolerated. Staff consistently use a relationship‑focused approach to managing behaviour.”
Inspectors praised the experience of pupils at the school stating they are “happy and feel safe. They are encouraged to be themselves and to treat others with respect.”
Next steps for improvement highlighted by inspectors include leaders improving their analysis to better understand the impact of their work on pupils’ behaviour and on the strengthening of support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Ashfield Comprehensive School is a 2,750-place establishment that is operated by the Two Counties Trust, which runs ten secondary schools across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Now overseen by newly appointed head teacher Jenny Brown, the school includes a sixth form for 650 older pupils and was previously rated ‘Good’ by education watchdog Ofsted at its last inspection.