Littleover Community School gets a ‘good’ report from inspectors
A DERBY school has been described as having an ‘inclusive and academic culture’ after its first Government inspection in 16 years rated it as ‘good’ with an ‘outstanding’ Sixth Form.
Littleover Community School is among several Derby schools to be inspected by Ofsted under its new framework and its report highlighted the 'high expectations and ambitions' of school leaders.
The school, in Pastures Hill, was visited by a team of five inspectors last month who found that all students, including those with special educational needs, achieve well.
Teachers have excellent subject knowledge and arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with inspectors commenting on the ‘culture of safeguarding’ leaders had created.
Pupils are well prepared for life after school according to the report and behaviour was found to be ‘calm and focussed’ in the classroom and ‘orderly and respectful’ around the site.
The school was found to be ‘good’ in all areas and the sixth form was rated ‘outstanding’ with students who work ‘purposefully’ and discuss their learning ‘enthusiastically’.
Inspectors relayed only two areas for the school to improve, reporting that some teaching strategies are not as focussed as the curriculum goals leaders had planned, making it harder for pupils to reach ‘these ambitious end points’.
They also recommended that leaders ensure they have mechanisms in place to enable them to review strategies and refine policies when needed.
Head teacher Jon Wilding said: “This was a rigorous inspection under Ofsted’s new framework, so we are delighted to have been named a good school and particularly pleased that our sixth form is recognised as outstanding.
“The report is overwhelmingly positive, with many comments that both staff and pupils should be very proud of. The inspectors described our school as inclusive and ambitious and have highlighted the excellent education, support and care that we offer our students.
“Although inspectors identified two areas we need to look at, these were already very much part of our School Development Plan and so work was already underway to achieve these outcomes before the inspectors arrived.
“Parents and carers should be reassured that this school remains respectful, safe and ambitious for every child.”
Inspectors reported that enrichment opportunities at the school were good with clubs, including tables tennis, cookery and ceramics, available to pupils. While leaders prepare students well for their next steps with careers interviews, work experience and careers fairs.
Pupils were found to be eager to share their ideas and knowledge, while leaders ensure that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities study the same curriculum as their peers thanks to adaptive approaches that enable them to access the learning.
Mr Wilding added: “It has been 16 years since this school received a full inspection and during that time we have had several changes of leadership as well as a global pandemic to negotiate, over the last two and a half years.
“What has been consistent during this time is the high expectations and ambitions we have for every Littleover Community School student, our inclusive culture and our continued, excellent results.”
Chair of Governors Jamie Cameron said: “The Governing Board is delighted with the outcome of the recent inspection and looks forward to continuing to work with the school on its continuous improvement.
“Credit to the school’s leadership team and all staff for the way the school’s ethos – the LCS Way - is embedded and interwoven into school life.”