Verulam School rated ‘good’ in latest Ofsted inspection
Verulam School has improved its Ofsted rating to 'good'. Photo: Danny Loo. - Credit: Archant
Verulam School has bounced back from poor reports and safeguarding concerns to score a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted.
The school’s latest report lists them as ‘good’ in all areas following an inspection on October 9 and 10.
Chair of governors John Acton said: “I am delighted this report demonstrates improvement in every aspect of our work and that pupils’ personal development, behaviour and welfare is good.”
The school had to go through a monitoring visit in July due to concerns from the chief inspector of schools about safeguarding.
At their last inspection, the school was rated as ‘inadequate’ - the lowest rating a school can achieve.
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This time around, the inspection team commended the school for “their rapid, thorough and effective response to weaknesses identified in the school’s previous inspection”.
The report details how the school commissioned a safeguarding check from an external agency, put safety protocols for off-site activities in place and changed the way in which behaviour is managed.
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The report described a ‘sea change’ in behaviour at the school, with pupils showing respect for one another and teachers experiencing little disruption in their lessons.
Some of the older pupils have a negative perception of the way staff manage their behaviour, the report notes, and the school needs to explain to them the reasons for change more effectively.
The school must also place the same level of importance on all subjects as they do on English, maths and science.
Headteacher Paul Ramsey said: “The leadership team will be meeting with Year 11 pupils this term to discuss their post-16 options. They will take this opportunity to further explain the reasons for change and discuss how improvement has benefited all pupils.
“The headteacher and governors will also continue to meet pupil focus groups to gather their views on change. We will also be listening to the views of the Student Council who give really useful feedback.
“Whilst ‘progress in the rest of the curriculum is still good’, it does not yet match the exceptional progress in the core subjects. The focus for our further improvement is to ensure that best practice is shared across all subjects.”
