Outstanding – that’s the opinion of inspectors from schools watchdog OFSTED following a long-overdue visit to St John’s Academy in Marlborough, the results of which were published today (Monday).
As pupils returned to school from the summer half-term break, parents were told that the school had received top marks in all main areas of education: achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management.
And of the 41 sub-criteria by which schools are judged, St John’s was found to be outstanding in every one – putting it in the top 10 percent of schools nationwide.
Inspectors – who visited the school on May 8 and 9 – described St John’s as an establishment: “in which all may thrive and achieve to the highest standards”.
The inspectors also praised principal Patrick Hazlewood – who announced his retirement at the end of April, and will depart in April 2015 – describing him as a ‘visionary’, supported by a highly effective senior team, middle leaders, and an outstanding governing body.
Announcing the outcome of the inspection to staff at a meeting today, Dr Hazlewood said: “We waited a long time for this inspection and the entire staff team was pleased to welcome the inspectors to St John’s and have the opportunity to demonstrate what a great school this is.
“OFSTED chose a very busy two days for us including a parents’ evening, events for primary school pupils, and the last day in school for our Year 11s, all of which helped to show us at our best.
“To be found Outstanding in all areas is the very best outcome we could have wished for, and I am extremely proud of all staff and students at St John’s”.
And in a letter to parents, he wrote: “The judgement is a significant tribute to the whole community – our primary schools, the children, the teaching, the administration and support teams, and of course you. The report is a glowing tribute, but it does describe our school accurately.”
The report says:
Achievement is outstanding because students in all year groups make rapid and sustained progress
Teaching is outstanding because teachers know their students, have high expectations and use their expert subject knowledge to motivate students to achieve their best.
Students’ behaviour is outstanding. They are exceptionally proud of their school and they are universally polite and courteous towards each other, staff and visitors. They are proud of their new buildings and look after them exceptionally well.
The report included comments from some of St John’s 1,700 students whom, the report notes, “are immensely proud of their school and clearly appreciate the care and attention which the staff give to them as individuals.”
In student interviews, when asked if they would recommend the school to others, Year 11 students commented “It’s the best in Wiltshire”. When asked what they would like to be improved, students said “Nothing – the school has everything worked out.”
OFSTED last inspected the school in 2009, when it was still split over two sites, when inspectors found it to be ‘good’ in all areas.
It is understood that the school’s management team was eager for a re-examination following the move to the new £25 million school building in 2010, but were told by OFSTED in 2012 that they had made an ‘interim assessment’ of the school based partly on exam and test results and any reports from Wiltshire Council. Using this OFSTED decided the school did not need another inspection ‘earlier than the summer term 2013.’
But that inspection never materialised – when St John’s adopted academy status it was judged to be a new school.
Meanwhile, upmarket magazine Tatler cast its own judgement on St John’s, naming it one of the top 20 state schools in the UK in its February 2014 edition.
The full OFSTED report can be found online at www.stjohns.wilts.sch.uk/html/news/reports+inspections.html
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