A North Devon secondary school has improved so much that every aspect of the education it provides has been rated good after an exhaustive inspection earlier this year.
In its last routine inspection by Ofsted in 2019, Pilton Community College had been judged as requiring improvement.
But now – at a time when there is a national debate about Ofsted downgrading schools – inspectors have found that Pilton is good across all categories.
Four inspectors spent two days at the school before Easter and their report has just been published.
They conclude that Pilton’s overall effectiveness is good and so is the quality of education, leadership and management, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes and their personal development.
Lead inspector James Oldham says:
“The school provides a good quality of education. Leaders have a clear vision for pupils to gain the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.
“Trustees and local governors share the same values and vision. Together, their work has enhanced the effectiveness of the school.
“Pupils are happy and safe. They value the warm and respectful relationships they have with staff. Staff are proud to work at the school.
“Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour (and) have constructed a broad and ambitious curriculum. Pupils usually live up to these expectations and learn without disruption. As a result of improvements, the curriculum is now having a greater impact on how successfully pupils learn in each subject.”
Mr Oldham says the 1138-pupil school has a calm and orderly atmosphere and students enjoy a range of trips, both nationally and internationally. Pupils enjoy welcoming visitors from abroad and taking part in shared projects. These opportunities provide a range of enriching experiences beyond the curriculum.
He says leaders accurately identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities and share useful information with teachers which allows them to adapt teaching to meet pupils’ needs. Pupils who attend the specialist resource base are well provided for.
Mr Oldham continues:
“The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Pupils say that they can speak to a member of staff if they are worried about anything. Leaders work well with external partners to secure the help that pupils need.”
Older pupils receive useful careers information, advice and guidance and undertake suitable work experience, he says.
The inspectors say that to improve even more, the school should ensure that the personal development curriculum is consistently well implemented and all pupils are well prepared for their future.
Headteacher Graham Hill, who joined Pilton five years ago, said:
“I am delighted that the inspectors recognised the improvements that the school has made.
“We have focused on building relationships across the school between staff, students and their families based on a culture of values – respect, responsibility, resilience, kindness, trust and courage.
“This report is a tribute to all the teachers and staff, our pupils and their families and the wider community, the governors and the Ventrus Multi-Academy Trust.”
Ventrus chief executive, Gary Chown, said:
“I am so pleased for Graham and his senior leadership team and what they have achieved.
“We appointed Graham in 2018 to his first headship and we were confident that he would succeed. Ventrus is all about identifying and nurturing talent and supporting leaders, teachers and staff to succeed and Pilton’s comprehensive improvement during Graham’s tenure is testament to this.”