Holsworthy Community College - 'Eager to Learn' Students, Says Ofsted

It's always great to celebrate the achievements of local schools, so it was excellent news to read of the successful Ofsted inspection of Holsworthy School, with details released today. No apologies for taking this from the Devon County Council website in praise of staff and students at Holsworthy: 

"Students at a small Devon secondary school say they enjoy learning in the family-like atmosphere.

The students at Holsworthy Community Collegeachieve GCSE results in English and science that are well above average and maths results that are in line with national achievement, according to education inspectors.

The 2011 GCSE results for five subjects including English and maths were also in line with the national average, say the inspectors.

Four inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, spent two days at Holsworthy earlier this month and their report has just been published.

Lead inspector Sue Frater says half the lessons they observed were good or better.

There were examples of good and outstanding teaching and there was no inadequate teaching.

Most of the parents who made contact with the inspectors through questionnaires and face to face were happy with their children's progress.

"GCSE exam results are broadly average," says Ms Frater. "In 2011, they were well above average in English and science.

"The curriculum is broad and balanced. It meets students' needs and equips most students suitably to go on to further education colleges.

"Students are eager to learn. Conduct around the college and attitudes to learning in most lessons are usually good.

"Most students report they feel safe and this is confirmed by the questionnaires completed by parents.

"(Students) like the fact that they are well know in this small school," says Ms Frater.

"A student commented: 'It is like a family because it is small. Most people get on with each other'.

"Students are punctual to school and to lessons. Their attendance is in line with the national average."

However, says Ms Frater, students do need to make better progress in maths.

"The principal and the governing body have addressed subject leadership issues and have introduced ambitious targets to raise attainment overall," she says.

"The learning and progress of current students in maths indicate some improvement, particularly in Year 10."

And this approach has already worked in English and science, she says.

"Students make good progress in English and science as a result of better use of challenging targets and assessment to match lessons to their individual abilities."

As well as raising attainment in maths, Ms Frater says the school needs to increase the proportion of good and better teaching, ensure students are engaged and motivated in all lessons and develop the monitoring and evaluation skills of all leaders and managers in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Principal David Fitzsimmons said: "We are disappointed that our above average performance in English and science from 2009 to 2011 did not outweigh the perceived underperformance in maths.

"Unfortunately, long term absence in our maths department has held up the full introduction of our plans to raise attainment in this subject, although that is now being resolved.

"We are constantly trying to improve our school but we were all heartened by the warm support of pupils and their description of the family-like atmosphere at Holsworthy and the inspectors' praise for our work with students with special educational needs."