The first Ofsted report looking at Les Varendes High School has painted a mixed picture for the students there.
The school received a ‘Good’ rating for ‘Behaviour and attitudes‘, ‘Personal development and welfare‘, and ‘Leadership and management‘, however the ‘Quality of education‘ needs work said the inspectors.
The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills has given that last category a rating of ‘Requires Improvement’ with a focus needed on “the assessment and the precision with which teaching is adapted to meet students’ needs”. The report also highlighted “that checks that teachers make to assess how well students have learned the curriculum do not identify students’ starting points or gaps in their knowledge”.
However it’s not all doom and gloom, with Ofsted finding that pupils at Les Varendes are “well prepared for adult life”. The report described Guernsey’s newest High School – established after the 11+ was scrapped – as a “welcoming school community” with “warm, trusting relationships throughout the school”.
The overall picture is much improved on the previous, and final, grades given to La Mare de Carteret High School, but slumps far compared to the final grade given to the former Grammar School when it was inspected in 2019.
The final Grammar students have now left school, while pupils from La Mare de Carteret High have merged with peers at Les Varendes.
Ofsted has made it clear that the curriculum at Les Varendes High needs to be looked at though, with the current adaptations not fit for purpose.
“The way in which the curriculum is taught is not adapted precisely enough to meet the needs of some pupils,” found the inspectors. “Consequently, these pupils do not learn the curriculum as well as their peers. The school should ensure that teachers have the necessary information and expertise to meet the needs of all learners.”
The inspectors also found that there were gaps in the current cohorts knowledge that aren’t being addressed, with those struggling lacking in available support, and those excelling not being provided with enough of a challenge.
“The checks that teachers make to assess how well pupils have learned the curriculum do not accurately identify pupils’ starting points or gaps in their knowledge,” wrote the report’s authors. “This means that some pupils do not receive the support or challenge that they need to learn well. The school should ensure that teachers’ use of assessment identifies exactly what pupils have successfully learned to inform what comes next.”
It’s important to note that those providing the learning at Les Varendes are well aware of the challenges ahead, to bring up those grades to a suitable and sustainable level.
Despite being at it’s earliest stage in life as the newest States’ High School, Ofsted has said the teachers and leaders are “accurate” in their own views and perceptions of the school, meaning they know work needs to be done.
“Senior leaders, with the support of the Education Office, are accurate in their self-evaluation of the school,” the inspection found. “They actively take steps to consider staff workload and well-being. Subject leaders are being developed and supported to ensure that they have the same sharp oversight of their areas of responsibility.
“Where leaders are aware that there are weaker aspects of the school’s work there is a commitment to improve so that all pupils receive a high-quality education.”
Ofsted has also stated that the school is doing a good job of preparing students to join the real world of working life.
“Pupils are very well prepared for adult life,” reads the report. “They talk confidently about how to keep themselves safe and healthy in an age-appropriate way. Pupils understand the importance of respecting others and enjoy learning about different cultures and engaging in moral debates.
“Many pupils develop as active citizens through democratic voting opportunities and charity work. Pupils are highly positive about the extensive support they receive to consider their future employment, education or training. This means that pupils move on successfully to destinations that align with their future ambitions.”
Locally, the grading has seen praise from those within the school structure, at the top of the educational pyramid.
The Principal of Les Varendes High School, has expressed pride in the work that went ahead of the new schools first Ofsted report
“Les Varendes has been on a huge journey over the last two years, as we have merged two schools and undergone a period of significant transformation,” said Principal Verona Tomlin. “This inspection has confirmed what we already knew about our school – there were no surprises, and the areas identified for improvement are the same priorities already embedded in our development plan.”
Ms Tomlin added: “While we recognise there is still work to be done, we remain fully committed to our journey of growth. Our school has been stabilised, merged and enhanced with great care, and honesty and clarity are central to our approach. I am so proud of the work staff across the school have done to date to achieve this result; I am looking forward to what’s ahead and the improvements I am confident we will achieve together.”
The report has been well received in the upper echelons of education, with the Executive Principal of the Secondary School Partnership, Liz Coffey, adding: “The report recognises that Verona Tomlin and the leadership team understand their school and have stabilised it effectively after such a period of change. They are actively supporting staff wellbeing and committed to addressing weaker areas so that every student receives a high-quality education.
“It is so pleasing that staff have been active participants in the work undertaken across the Secondary School Partnership, particularly relating to Curriculum Alignment. This is supporting the required areas for improvement in the ‘Quality of Education’.”
Nick Hynes, the Director of Education, is also confident that the school will build on the current grades.
“The staff and students at Les Varendes High School have gone through a period of significant instability over the previous two years, and to have achieved this positive Ofsted result in light of this should be highly commended. Importantly, the inspection recognises that the leadership team are aware of areas for development, and that there is a clear commitment and plan in place to improve.”
Mr Hynes concluded: “Exemplifying this, recent staff training on the new Code of Practice and High-Quality Inclusive Practice demonstrates this proactive and focused leadership approach, which is the key to continued improvement. With this roadmap already in place, I have no doubt that the school will only go from strength to strength.”