We are delighted to share our Ofsted report from our inspection in March this year. This was an ungraded inspection where the inspection team had a remit to judge whether we are maintaining standards and provision or have standards changed. The inspection team found that we have made significant progress since the last inspection.
“Highly skilled” teachers, pupils with “exemplary” behaviour, and an “ambitious and challenging curriculum” which ensures that “pupils achieve exceptionally well” are just some of Ofsted’s recent findings, as Ely College builds on its position as an exceptional college for an exceptional community.
The inspectors highlighted a “well-considered curriculum for pupils with special educational needs”, highlighting “a small number of pupils study a bespoke curriculum that supports their needs”. At Ely College, “teachers know pupils’ individual needs and apply effective strategies to support them”. The inspectors also praised the “strong culture of reading” and the effective support to help students build confidence in their reading.
The full report can be found on the College’s website but the key findings are detailed below:
• Pupils enjoy attending this inclusive school and feel safe. Pupils feel known as individuals in this large school.
• The broad and ambitious curriculum engages all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Pupils access a high-quality offer of enrichment opportunities with a diverse range of activities and a very broad personal development offer.
• Teachers are highly skilled at adapting the learning to meet pupils’ needs.
• Pupils achieve highly and are well prepared for the next steps in their education, employment or training.
• The behaviour of many pupils is exemplary. They are polite and respectful.
• Trustees and governors know the school exceptionally well and provide an equal balance of support and holding leaders effectively to account.
• The school’s broad and rich curriculum is well considered. It is ambitious and challenging for all pupils. There is a wide range of academic and vocational courses, particularly in the sixth form. The curriculum builds well on pupils’ previous learning and takes account of their different needs.
• The school has a strong culture of reading. Pupils read a wide variety of challenging texts. If pupils struggle to read fluently when they join, the school provides effective support to help them build their confidence.
• Staff, including early career teachers, say that they are very well supported. They feel valued and appreciate how leaders look after their well-being and workload.
Principal, Simon Warburton, said: “I’m incredibly proud of everyone’s hard work and dedication which clearly shines through in this report. It’s an achievement for all of us in the school community, students, staff and parents, and across the wider Meridian Trust family. We remain dedicated to building on this success, and addressing areas for further development, to ensure we’re a truly great college; a beacon of excellence of which our whole community can be proud.”
You can access our report here https://www.elycollege.com/ofsted
