Radical changes at Huddersfield’s biggest school are beginning to show results.
Ofsted has announced that teaching, tracking systems and the outlook for current GCSE students at Colne Valley Specialist Arts College are all improving.
However, there is still more work to be done, according to inspectors who have just completed their third inspection since the school was placed into ‘special measures’ almost a year ago.
Acting headteacher Maggie Dunn has acknowledged the size of the task ahead in turning a large failing school into a good school, which she likened to “turning a big ship around.”
She added: “We have turned the place upside down; there have been radical changes. We have built a solid infrastructure and now we are embedding that.
“We are very much on track to move out of special measures. Inspectors have recognised the impact of improved teaching and the strength of the partnership between the two schools (Colne Valley and Mirfield Free Grammar – MFG – the sponsor school).
“This is the best judgement we could possibly have got.”
There has been a considerable shake-up of staff, with several leaving after last December’s full inspection. Three members of the school’s senior leadership team have recently resigned. In September, six new teachers started in the English and science departments and two teachers left at half term.
The latest rigorous inspection by three HMI inspectors involved observation of 26 lessons, as well as tutorials and extra-curricular activities. They also scrutinised documents and met with numerous individuals and bodies connected with the school.
The new team, which is working in partnership with MFG, had only been in place just over 100 days when the inspectors visited.
The latest Ofsted report stated that this year’s results for 16-year-olds had declined, which school leaders had expected, as they reflect mostly on teaching before the new regime.
Inspectors said: “There were substantial falls in the proportion of students gaining grade C and above in physics, chemistry and biology. Performance was particularly low in some areas of design technology. It was stronger in a range of vocational and BTEC qualifications.”
They added that the picture moving forward was much brighter and Colne Valley was making progress towards moving out of special measures.
“The school’s data show an improving picture for current Year 11 students. All are on track to make the progress expected in English and an above average proportion is making more progress than this.
“In mathematics, an above average proportion is making the expected progress and a high percentage is making more than expected progress.”
The report added: “There has been some improvement in the quality of teaching, reflecting the positive impact of the considerable amount of training provided for staff.
“The acting headteacher is leading the school’s improvement with urgency and determination.”
