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This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 20 March 2013. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
STAFF and pupils at the Chiltern Hills Academy are celebrating after the school was judged 'Good' in all four categories in its first ever Ofsted report. The Chesham-based academy, which is sponsored by the Diocese of Oxford, became a specialist design and performing arts college in September 2011.
Children show off their creations during an 'experience day' at Chiltern Hills Academy. ruary.
The Ofsted report recognises the achievements that the Academy has made, including:
- Chiltern Hills Academy judged "good" in all Ofsted categories
- "Students achieve well"
- The sixth form is "good"
- Students behave well and feel safe"
- Leadership is effective with "outstanding governance"
- Spiritual moral and social education is "good".
The inspection report comments that: "students make good progress from their differing starting points".
It further states that: "teaching is typically good and sometimes outstanding". The leadership of the Academy from the Governing body through to the subject leaders was noted as a strength.
The report states: "leaders have an incisive and accurate view of the quality of teaching and the areas for further development". The curriculum it notes is: "well planned and provides a coherent set of courses for students of different aspirations and abilities". On student welfare and behavior, the report states that, "Students have positive attitudes towards learning and respond well to the Academy's behaviour management procedures; students are proud of their new Academy". The Principal, Kevin Patrick said, "The entire Academy community is celebrating the result of the Ofsted inspection.
We truly believe in the work we have been doing and the level of education provided here and I am delighted that it has been officially recognised by Ofsted. We all knew that the more stringent Ofsted inspection framework was the most robust ever and only our best would do.
It was an intense two days meeting the demands of the inspectors.
They spoke with students, to staff, to the leadership team.
They looked at a range of students' work and reviewed policies and procedures as well as visiting many lessons.
The quality of teaching and support work in classrooms is praised highly in the report.
Staff and students alike should feel extremely proud of what has been achieved. This has been a real team effort and I would just like to extend my thanks to all those staff who are not always visible and who work very hard behind the scenes for the Academy.
These include the teaching assistants, site and cleaning team, administrators, technicians, catering staff, finance, HR and IT personnel. "The Chairman of Governors, Mr Andrew Brown, said: "This Ofsted report confirms the excellent work put in by staff and students and affirms the growing number of parents and students who make Chiltern Hills Academy their preferred choice school at 11 and for sixth form studies.
The next time Ofsted visit we expect they will find an 'Outstanding' school. Anne Davey, Director of Education for the Diocese of Oxford, said: "We are thrilled that the report has recognised the excellence of the Academy's leadership and governance.
We are proud of the journey the school has been on and look forward to continuing to support it to make even more improvements and to become the school of choice for all young people in the Chesham community. "Chiltern Hills Academy, formerly Chesham Park School becane an Academy in September 2011.
A £10 million building programme is to be fully completed in September 2013.
In April the new sports hall, changing rooms and Sixth Form Centre will be available.
The new music rooms, recording studio and practice rooms with a suite of Apple Mac computers were completed as planned in September.