Ofsted Report
An Outstanding Curriculum
Following a recent Ofsted Inspection of Bicester Community College, the report just published celebrates the success of the College’s curriculum provision. It recognises that the College’s specialist status as a Technology College has been effective in broadening the curriculum and in establishing partnerships which have further enhanced students’ choices. The curriculum offers ‘a very wide variety of courses which meet the full range of students’ needs and capabilities.’ The report also praised ‘the exceptionally wide-ranging choice of after-school activities’ which, it said, ‘enriches students’ learning and makes a significant contribution to their enjoyment, to their personal development and to their achievement.’
The inspectors reported that the quality of education provided by the College is satisfactory with good and outstanding features. Importantly, under the new inspection arrangements in schools, it acknowledged the College’s accurate self-evaluation which identified the key areas for development. These include raising standards further, achieving more consistency and the greater use of assessment and marking to give students more guidance for improvement and independent learning.
Personal development and well being and care guidance and support were all judged to be good. Students adopted safe practices and felt safe. They maintained a healthy lifestyle and understood the importance of a healthy diet – although inspectors commented that some parents could provide more healthy food in lunch boxes. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development was regarded as good and reference was made to students’ responses to a visit to the Holocaust Museum. The good work of the Student Council and the Junior and Community Sports Leaders was also recognised and the inspectors, during their visit, commented on how impressed they were with the students they had met. In particular, they were delighted with the able and very knowledgeable sixth form group they met and their grasp of educational issues.
In the report, the headteacher, Mrs Cynthia Bartlett, is praised for her ‘clear strategic direction focussed on steady improvement of students’ achievement through effective care and personalised learning.’ The College’s Senior Leadership team is reported as executing its responsibilities effectively. Parents are seen to be supportive of the College. Over 200 parents responded to the Inspectors Parent Questionnaire, and one of their comments is quoted in the report as representative. ‘I cannot speak highly enough of the opportunities my children have been offered and the encouragement they have received.’
Mrs Bartlett said, ‘We know that students are well served here and the Inspection team agreed with our judgements in our self-evaluation of progress and achievement. We are pleased that this Inspection has underlined the good work of the College in preparing young people for their future and has recognised the outstanding curriculum provision which it offers to all its students.
To read Ofsted report go to www.ofsted.gov.uk and click on 'Inspection reports'
