Inspection

10 May 2006

The HMI Inspection report was posted to the home of each pupil at the end of last week, and I hope that parents and pupils alike will have been able to take a few minutes to look through its findings, even if only in summary form.
It is a most positive assessment, and sincere thanks go to colleagues (teaching and non-teaching), for the high standards which they set for themselves and for the pupils.  Thanks equally to the many pupils and parents who contributed their views, and to the Directors who take such a keen interest in all that is the Academy.
There may be readers who would like more detail.  We will be happy to mail the report if anyone asks the School Office (556 4603) for a copy.  Alternatively, you may visit the Inspectorate website here.

25 January 2006

Now that the Inspectors have left, a huge thank you to all pupils and colleagues at Arboretum Road and at Henderson Row. You put a great deal of time and your best efforts into preparing for the Inspectors' visit, and made a very considerable impression on every front.
Thank you equally to the many parents who took the trouble to contribute views, either in meetings or via questionnaires. As for the Inspectors themselves, I must express major admiration for their approach. They were analytical and professional throughout, and their conclusions were constructive in every instance.
The next stage is a draft report inviting our comment, to be sent to us in late February, and a final report which is made public in May. Until that time, the Inspectors' detailed assessment will remain confidential, but we are permitted to give this brief summary of Friday's full feedback session.
Key strengths of the school which were identified were:

• Attainment
• Broader achievement (activities outside the classroom)
• Staff/pupil relationships
• High expectations

If the above appears a little general and bland, three further pointers should be enormously encouraging.

a) The feedback report mentioned prominently the ethos of community in the school; we should be very proud of that accolade.
b) The Inspectors spoke of the enthusiasm and the commitment of pupils and staff.
c) Finally, the general summary comment was: a very strong profile indeed.
Thank you once again to a large number of contributors; we can take many, many positives from the Inspection - and tackle in the next months the areas where there is room for improvement.