Turin Grove School Ofsted Report Notes ‘Sound Progress’ and ‘Outstanding’ Features

Friday, 6th February, 2009

Colchester, UK. February 5th, 2009 - Ofsted inspectors have rated Turin Grove School 'satisfactory' overall with some 'outstanding' features in the report published today. Formerly known as Salisbury School, Turin Grove was inspected in January 2009 and inspectors noted 'a growing air of confidence about the school as it develops stronger and more effective practices and exploits the benefits of being on one site with new buildings.'

The report grades the school's governance as 'outstanding' and notes that for the first time in recent years the school is over-subscribed with local students, reflecting its improved standing in the community.

During the course of the year the school's Contextual Value Add score - reflecting how much students improve while at the school - has risen substantially from 997 to 1005.9, placing the school well above the local average and in the top 35% nationally for CVA. While attainment levels 'reflect the very low level of student attainment on entry to the school', the report confirms that 'the number of good and outstanding lessons is increasing', and the personal development and well-being of students is 'improving as new systems are introduced to help students enjoy school more and achieve better results.'

'It's very encouraging that the report recognises the very substantial improvements put in place over the past year and a half, and the good progress we are making,' said Turin Grove Executive Headteacher Janet Lewis. 'There is still a long way to go, but as the inspectors noted, the school has demonstrated that it has good capacity to bring about further improvements. We are putting in a lot of effort into many aspects of the school's activities, and the positive observations in the report are a real boost for all the staff and students here to keep working at it.'

'Year 7 in September will for the second year running be full of students who have chosen the school in their top three preferences, with over a hundred entrants making it their first choice,' said Mrs Lewis. 'And our sixth form roll has grown from under ten to over a hundred in Year 12 - that's a great reflection on the relationships students now have with their teachers.'

In its assessment of the school's governance, the report commends 'outstanding leadership by the school's governing body in its supervisory capacity,' adding that the governing body 'has been at the centre of the move to appoint a private company to help the school improve and it has held both the school and the company to account rigourously'. In April 2007, the governing body working with the local authority appointed EdisonLearning to deliver an intensive 3-year improvement programme and a senior management team.

Martin Cocks, Chair of Governors, said: 'It's very satisfying that Ofsted has recognised the exciting developments we've been seeing at Turin Grove. This is good news for the school and the community it serves, and what's most encouraging is that there is now the capacity to keep the momentum going. Enfield Council has supported the governing body well throughout the school's development and with funding for the new building project. We now have the framework to make Turin Grove a really good school.'

Neil Rousell, joint acting Director of Education, Children's Services and Leisure, said, 'The positive progress made at Turin Grove reflects the commitment of the staff and students, the determination of the governing body, and the support from the council. We are delighted that Turin Grove has this pleasing result. Our unique plan to work with the governors to appoint EdisonLearning is paying off as we see a new generation of young people, proud of their achievements and their school.'

'Turin Grove is doing exceptionally well in challenging circumstances, as the report outlines,' added EdisonLearning Managing Director Mark Logan. 'The really pleasing thing is that even though a large proportion of students entering the school are disadvantaged in some way, they are now coming into a purposeful and happy learning environment that offers them a real chance to make the most of their abilities. We are delighted that our team is leading the school so effectively, and that the EdisonLearning framework is having such a galvanising effect on its progress.'

Further extracts from the report:

On the 6th form
'The students receive good guidance and support enabling them to make informed and considered choices for their future careers...The tracking systems for ensuring that all students reach their potential are having a positive impact on student achievement...The school is now using students' prior attainment data to set ambitious targets and monitor their progress...Leadership and management of the sixth form are good. The able head of sixth form has quickly grasped the issues and has a very clear plan to take the sixth form forward.'

On leadership and management of the school
'The newly appointed executive headteacher has already used her excellent experience to focus the school sharply on those areas that are weak and need to improve quickly. In this, she is supported adequately by her senior leadership team, which is growing in confidence and expertise. This team, which includes two highly effective leaders appointed by EdisonLearning, is focusing well, through training and coaching, on improving its capacity to move the school forward. This focus on school improvement has also embraced leaders at all levels of the school and there is a growing confidence that new methods for target setting and the rigourous tracking of student achievement, which are already improving student progress, will also improve standards.'

On students' personal development and well-being
'Students' behaviour is good. They listen well in lessons, show respect for others, and want to make the most of what the school has to offer….Students are proud of the way their school is developing, and feel that they would like to contribute more to the school and the wider communities. They feel very certain that students from different backgrounds mix well and accept one another. They are developing satisfactory skills for the workplace, through information and communication lessons and work experience which help to address some of the limitations students have in basic skills.'

On the context in which the school operates
'Attainment on entry is very low. Free school meals are taken by just over 40% of students. The proportion of students for whom English is not their first language is very high (62% across the school). There is a much higher proportion of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities than the national average. The majority of students (74%) are from a wide range of ethnic minority groups. Student mobility is high.'

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Turin Grove School