Ofsted Report
Our colleagues continue to focus on our pupils’/students' education and the inspectors recognised ‘staff build positive relationships with pupils/students,’ and we thank them for their dedication as we work together to drive forward the quality of education.
Thank you for your patience as we awaited the final report from our most recent Ofsted Inspection. As you are aware, Whitby School is working in partnership with Executive Leaders from the Wonder Learning Partnership to continue with its priority to implement the agreed school improvement. We continue to recognise the many strengths of the school but will continue addressing those areas that need to develop.
The school was inspected on 7 and 8 November 2023 and the final report will be published by Ofsted on their website www.reports.ofsted.gov.uk. I would like to thank colleagues, governors, pupils and our wider community for their support and dedication throughout the inspection. Naturally, we are disappointed to have been inspected before the results of the improvement strategies we have started to implement have had the opportunity to be embedded and disappointed to have received a ‘Requires Improvement’ grading. However, we will continue to implement the necessary changes to improve the educational experience and outcomes for our children.
We acknowledge the uncertainty and challenges which children, colleagues, parents, and the school community have faced and appreciate that during our recent Ofsted Inspection the inspectors commended how ‘pupils’ overall progress remains in line with national outcomes in this period of significant change.’
Our colleagues continue to focus on our pupils’/students' education and the inspectors recognised ‘staff build positive relationships with pupils,’ and we thank them for their dedication as we work together to drive forward the quality of education.
We are delighted the inspectors recognised that ‘students in sixth form experience a well-designed curriculum that meets their needs,’ and the ‘school supports their academic and personal development in well-considered ways’ with recognition that ‘students in sixth form achieve well.’
The inspectors also recognised that our pupils/students with SEND are supported with ‘staff aware of their needs and take appropriate action to involve them in learning.’ Our SEND team continue to work with parents and ensure there is the necessary provision in place.
Although we are pleased that inspectors saw that, ‘in lessons, pupils generally behave well and focus on their learning’, we acknowledge the findings in the report regarding ‘pockets of poor behaviour’ in social times and we will continue to implement strategies around both behaviour and attendance which the inspectors recognised was having an impact.
As previously reported, we have undergone a safeguarding review with North Yorkshire Council and the Wonder Learning Partnership improving our overall practice. We are pleased the Ofsted inspectors found ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’ from this work which we continue to develop and improve upon.
We will continue to communicate with parents, carers, and the wider school community as we work together to shape the education for our children and young people.
Yours sincerely
Ms S Boyd, Deputy Headteacher
Mr J Britton, Executive Leader