OFSTED Section 5 Inspection

24th-25th October 2012

We were pleased to welcome a team of Ofsted inspectors to William Ellis School on 24th and 25th October 2012. We are delighted that we were judged to be a“Good School” (grade 2). The inspection report draws attention to many of the School’s strengths.

We were inspected under the most recent Ofsted framework, which was introduced in September 2012; it is widely acknowledged that this new framework has raised the bar in terms of expectations of schools. This highlights the rapid improvement that has taken place at the School because when the School was last inspected, two years earlier in November 2010, it was judged “Satisfactory” (grade 3).

Inspectors rated the school as “Good” in all the aspects of the new framework. They noted that a large majority of students behave well and that they feel safe.  Teaching is predominantly good, staff morale high and GCSE results improving, with particularly strong performances in mathematics and science. We are pleased that the inspection took place over one of our “Deep Learning Days”, so that the inspectors could experience first-hand this innovation at the school where outside speakers visit the school to engage students in debate and discussion about moral, social and personal issues. The inspectors commented that students have an “excellent insight into a wide range of issues and decisions they face in their lives”.

The inspection report outlines what we can do to improve further, and the school will not be standing still.  I am confident that with the continued commitment and support of all involved that William Ellis will become a grade 1 school.

The full report is available using the link below. Please take the time to read it.  A hard copy was sent to all parents and carers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank students, parents and carers for their contributions. The students were a great credit to us during the Inspection.

Sam White

Headteacher