A Plantsbrook School Ofsted report has praised the school for raising its standards – with its sixth form being described as ‘outstanding’.
Plantsbrook School, in Upper Holland Road, is now rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted inspectors, who in November last year had said it ‘required improvement’, marking a significant raising of standards.
Last month Ofsted inspectors visited the site and were pleased with the school’s progress, saying: “Leaders have taken swift and decisive action since the previous inspection to address areas for improvement. Their focus and determination has seen the school move forward.
“The progress made by disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities has improved markedly.
“Outcomes at the end of key stage four have risen sharply. The overall progress of pupils in 2018 was significantly above national averages.
“Outcomes at the end of key stage four have risen sharply. The overall progress of pupils in 2018 was significantly above national averages.”
“The quality of teaching is good. Teachers plan lessons effectively to meet the needs of pupils. They know their pupils extremely well.
“The sixth form is outstanding with progress also significantly above national averages.”
Headteacher welcomes Plantsbrook School Ofsted report
Headteacher Tracy Campbell and her leadership team were praised for having a ‘clear and determined vision to drive the school forward’.
Particular praise came for the sixth form, which was described as ‘outstanding’. Sixth formers are given ‘excellent support’ in choosing their courses and have access to a ‘wide range of academic and vocational qualifications’. Post 16 teaching was ‘extremely strong’ with students making above average progress in a ‘vast number of subjects’. This has in turn led to ‘extremely high’ outcomes, well ahead of the national average.
After the previous Ofsted inspection visit in 2016, the school had built on existing strengths while successfully addressing areas identified as being in need of improvement, the report said.
Evaluation procedures and monitoring had been introduced to support staff, while an external review of the pupil premium funding had led to new schemes being introduced, such as class profiles – identifying key pupils in each group to be given ‘more targeted support’. Disadvantaged pupils have progressed as a result.
And the school’s SEND pupils are supported well – with the school having a specialty in helping visually impaired students – with the provision in that specialist unit ‘exceptionally strong’.
The school offers a ‘wide range of opportunities to learn’ both through its school curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities Ofsted said.
Lead inspector, Mark Howes, said: “The quality of teaching, learning and assessment across the school is strong.
“Pupils show a high level of engagement in lessons and have positive relationships with their teachers.
“Teachers demonstrate a strong level of subject knowledge and use questioning within lessons to effectively check understandings and address misunderstandings.”
Pupils behaviour was ‘good’ and attendance was above the national average.
Tracy Campbell said: “We are very proud of this Ofsted report – all of the pupils and staff have worked hard to earn this ‘good’ status.
“I’d like to thank all the staff, pupils and parents for their efforts in this achievement. This report was a result of the whole school community coming together,”
– headteacher tracy campbell
“Pupils’ personal development and welfare were judged to be outstanding, and Ofsted also congratulated us on having an outstanding Sixth Form too.
“I’d like to thank all the staff, pupils and parents for their efforts in this achievement. This report was a result of the whole school community coming together.”
To read the full report, click here.
For more about Plantsbrook, click here.