OfSTED November 2007

The school underwent an Ofsted inspection on Wednesday 7th November. The conclusion was that Walmer Science College is a good school, with some outstanding features. Some comments from the report are as follows:

• All aspects of the school’s provision are improving rapidly, giving it the potential to raise students’ achievement even further.

• The school’s high expectations help students of all abilities to flourish, personally and academically.

• Students achieve well in Years 7-11.

• A key strength of the school is the quality of relationships between all members of the school community. Students get on well with each other and have excellent attitudes to school.

• Students are confident and polite and enjoy engaging others in conversation.

• Students speak warmly of how adults help and support them.

• The leadership team is led with exceptional insight and skill by the headteacher.

• The headteacher has created a clear way forward during a time of significant change and team work is strong across the school.

• Whole school self-evaluation is excellent. It is comprehensive, rigorous and accurate.

• The school sets ambitious targets for its performance.

• Students settle well into sixth-form study and take advantage of the many support systems, including mentoring and careers advice, In her letter to students, the Lead Inspector said that she agreed with the school’s plans to bring about improvement which she summarised as follows:

• To give students more opportunities to help them to become independent in their learning, to develop their leadership skills and to make greater use of ICT.

• To introduce more vocational options in Years 10 and 11 and in the sixth form.

• To make sure students are set homework regularly.