Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common, Bristol, is celebrating after being upgraded to Good by the education watchdog Ofsted. The inspectors’ report reflects the continuing improvement of the secondary school over recent years.
The Good rating is a recognition of the hard work of staff, students, parents and carers and the support provided to SBL by its governors and the Futura Learning Partnership. “We have worked hard as a team to build our reputation in our community, and we are proud of how our students have responded,” said Principal Dean Anderson.
“It is important that a community can be proud of its school and from the start we have had the aspiration that SBL will be the school of choice for children that grow up in this area. The increase in student numbers and this successful Ofsted inspection indicates that we are moving in the right direction. This is a great outcome for all involved with our school and community.”
The two-day Ofsted inspection took place in early November and was carried out by a team of four, led by Susan Aykin. The report included many positive comments about students’ attitudes and behaviour, and noted the high and consistent expectations from staff. It said children enjoyed coming to school and had strong relationships with staff, which enabled them to feel safe and protected.
“Leaders … have created a very strong culture within the school where the well-being and safety of pupils are given the utmost importance,” the inspectors said.
The report praised the curriculum, which it said enabled children to develop strong subject knowledge across a range of subjects. Other opportunities, including sports and creative clubs and leadership roles were also highlighted. It also said the sixth-form curriculum was well-structured and students were supported to achieve well.
The benefit for leaders and staff from working with other schools in Futura Learning Partnership was acknowledged.
Inspectors said the next steps, to enable the academy to improve further, should be to help students with special educational needs and disabilities develop literacy skills so they can learn well in all subjects, and to improve personal and social education to prepare students for life in the 21st century.
Andrea Arlidge, chief executive of Futura Learning Partnership, which SBL joined in 2015, said, “I am delighted that the dedication and hard work of everyone at Sir Bernard Lovell Academy has been rewarded with this excellent report. The school has met the very high standards of the Ofsted framework despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone at SBL and at Futura is determined to continue this high level of provision so that all students receive the education they deserve as together we build for the future.”