Ofsted praise for secondary school

While the processes for inspecting schools has changed in response to Covid-19, the inspection was conducted to assess whether standards were being maintained and that the college was improving on areas outlined in its previous full inspection in 2019.

Inspectors concluded in their report that “leaders and managers have taken effective action to maintain the standards of behaviour and attitudes identified at the school’s previous inspection”.

Inspectors praised the college’s “strengthened approach” towards students’ behaviour, attendance and attitudes to learning. In particular, the college’s mental health provision was highlighted as making a significant difference to students’ behaviour.

Andy Christoforou, headteacher of Abbey College, said: “Given the particularly turbulent and challenging year that has followed our previous inspection, where most students have been completing their learning remotely for a significant period, it is really pleasing to see our processes, standards and improvements recognised by Ofsted inspectors.

“We are particularly pleased that students feel they play an increasingly active role in setting and promoting high standards of behaviour throughout the school. These changes have already led to significant further improvements in standards across the school and, in a year of such challenge, that is something we can all be very proud of.”

The full report can be found on the school’s or Ofsted’s website.