Congratulations to students and staff at New Siblands Secondary School in Thornbury who are celebrating being rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Inspectors visited the school on November 9 and 10 and concluded that the following areas are all outstanding:
- Effectiveness of leadership and management
- Quality of teaching, learning and assessment
- Personal development, behaviour and welfare
- Outcomes for pupils
- Early years provision
- 16 to 19 study programmes.
Cllr Toby Savage, Cabinet Member responsible for schools, said: “Warmest congratulations to everyone at New Siblands on achieving such a fantastic inspection rating.
“It’s encouraging to see that every aspect of the school has achieved an outstanding judgement and this is down to the dedication of staff, the headteacher and his senior leadership team, the governing body and the pupils.
“There are so many positives in this report but one of the highlights is the approach to learning which is described as fun and very much about what pupils can do rather than what they can’t. As a result, inspectors say that pupils enjoy their lessons and are eager to learn more. No wonder the children are thriving at this Thornbury school with such commitment, passion and enthusiasm from the staff.”
Headteacher Andrew Buckton said: “New Siblands is a very special place. Our vision of achievement, belonging and celebration gives our whole school community a focus that is all about ensuring our amazing children flourish and thrive. Their achievements are numerous and our pupils overcome many barriers in their resilient learning journeys. I am delighted that the work of the team here and the children’s progress has been recognised as being outstanding in our recent Ofsted inspection. We count it a privilege to work with our children and are grateful for the unswerving support of parents and carers and our Governors.”
Chair of Governors Dave Tubb added: “We are thrilled as a Governing board with the outstanding Ofsted report. We want to say a huge well done to all the pupils for their hard work and well done to our excellent staff team.”
Some of the other highlights singled out in the report include praise for the headteacher, his leadership team and the governing body who ‘work with steely determination to achieve the best possible outcomes for pupils’.
‘Morale is very high’.
‘Behaviour across the school is exemplary. It is a calm and positive place. Skilled and thoughtful staff help pupils to feel secure and to have a strong sense of belonging’.
‘Pupils make very good and often outstanding progress from their starting points. Partnerships with parents are particularly strong. As parents said, ‘This school is a dream’ and ‘Nothing is too much trouble.’
The report also said they should continue to improve the coordination and evaluation of the wide range of therapies provided by the school so that pupils receive thoroughly effective support for their health and care needs.
