Page 12 - link magazine

New Isambard leaders aim to improve Ofsted view

School is making clear headway on a ‘journey View Isambard
towards outstanding’ under acting headteacher Community School’s
full Ofsted report
at: isambard.
ISAMBARD Community School was their progress; and teachers do swindon.sch.uk
inspected by Ofsted on 26 and 27 not always have high enough
November and was judged to be expectations of what students can
requiring improvement. achieve. As a result, they do not
However the actions of the interim consistently give students work that
leadership team that took over last stretches them enough to make as
September were rated as good and much progress as possible.
this sets the scene for regaining the They also comment that students’
overall good status the school had behaviour requires improvement
at the last inspection. because, when activities fail to
Sue Banks, a member of the senior engage or maintain their interest,
leadership team since the school they can become distracted or
opened in 2007, was appointed distract others from their work. In Isambard’s interim head, Sue Banks working with students
acting headteacher after Rachael addition teachers are not consistent
Mattey took early retirement in July. in their application of the school’s current students’ work shows now be the key focus for all staff
The inspectors were impressed by rules for behaviour in class. that achievement is improving during the coming months.
current management of the school, Ms Banks said: “Staff at Isambard significantly. “The report recognised that
due to the significant changes that are fully aware of the school’s “Moving forward, the school students feel safe in the school and
have been implemented by the development priorities for this year will be using homework more, as are well cared for. Students said
new team. But they have not had which correlate with the findings in recommended by the inspection that incidents of bullying are rare
enough time to demonstrate the the Ofsted report. The school is on team, in order to extend students’ and that any reported are swiftly
full effect of their work. a journey towards outstanding and learning and further accelerate dealt with.
Ofsted believe students have this report shows that it has already their progress. The overall outcome “There was considerable praise for
not made as much progress as made significant headway into of the inspection is that the school the pastoral system and the wide-
they should have, especially reaching that goal. ‘requires improvement’ as there range of enrichment opportunities
in mathematics. Homework is “The focus will now be on has not been long enough for the at the school which make a
not used sufficiently to enable ensuring consistency, in terms initiatives already implemented strong contribution to students’
students to consolidate and extend of teaching and learning, in to be consistently and effectively spiritual, moral, social and cultural
their learning, and to accelerate every classroom. The quality of applied across the school. This will development.”

Anthony Moglione presenting the Involve Swindon 10th anniversary
certificate to Clive Zimmerman, right, and assistant head Chris Dobbs

Voluntary work comes with money
LYDIARD Park Academy were classes including Dragon’s Den
surprised in the Autumn that presentations.
not only had staff from Intel Intel liaison manager Anthony
volunteered to help the school, Moglione said the long term
they were also presented with a contact with the academy was a
cheque for £3,000 from the Intel very positive experience.
Foundation. He added: “Our involvement has
Through the Involve Swindon been excellent for teamwork and
corporate volunteering scheme, personal development. We’ve been
Intel and the academy have really impressed by the behaviour
worked together since 2011. and engagement of the students
Employees have been involved in and have learnt a lot from them.”
practical projects like gardening Headteacher Clive Zimmerman
and decorating, to working with said: “It’s been a great relationship
students on money management which has benefited students and
and life skills and taking business the school.”
12 swindonlink.com n February 2015