Meanwhile back at Hampton Academy it´s been a very busy half term so far. Last week our sponsors the LST organised a two-day mock-OFSTED inspection of each of their Richmond academies. I was privileged to be allowed to ‘inspect´ Twickenham Academy (with their Principal Nick Jones then joining the inspection team here) and found it salutary to go through the OFSTED process from the other side. Both inspections were led by Senior LA Inspector Warren Wilkinson, whose report will be published shortly.
The feedback summary was positive and in many areas showed real progress against OFSTED´s national criteria, notably on attendance which was judged to be ‘Good´. If our GCSE results continue to improve this summer then we will be well placed to secure an overall ‘Good´ in our next real OFSTED inspection, which should take place during the course of next year. Particularly pleasing was the 14% increase in the proportion of ‘Outstanding´ lessons compared with our last OFSTED in 2009.
Speaking of results, we are now well into our exam season, and Year 11 continue to impress with their determination as they plough through each paper. Every year our invigilators comment on the improvement on previous years, but the Class of 2011 appear to have excelled themselves in terms of attitude and conduct, not least by writing doggedly right up until the last minute. We have high hopes of these young people exceeding both their personal and their academy targets on the back of such positivity.
On Monday the builders move in at last to start laying the foundations for our new temporary accommodation at the back of the old gym. Staff and students are being carefully briefed about the minor restrictions this will require to their movement around the site. The temporary accommodation will be of a high standard, with fully equipped ICT suites, and will house most maths teaching, some humanities and the Wordsworth College Learning Zone and Hub from 1st September. Having witnessed a large Year 10 class crammed into a very small maths room recently, I can´t help thinking that the temporary accommodation will represent an improved learning experience for our students; and of course the new lower colleges opening in 2012 will raise the bar still higher.
I am fortunate to be writing this against the backdrop of crashing waves, having just arrived for the Richmond Secondary Heads´ annual conference (though it´s a pity about the driving rain — the weather´s definitely better in Sweden). This annual opportunity to meet and discuss issues with fellow school leaders, guest professionals and LBRUT officers is always very beneficial, not to say restorative towards the end of a long and tiring school year — essential for those of us who are already planning the next one. As ever I am grateful to my Associate Principal Niall Smith and the rest of the leadership team for holding the fort in my 2 day absence. I know the UK school is safe in their hands, just as are my Year 8 ‘Chaletians´ in Sweden.
Sue Demont
