Hylands School Ofsted Report 2010

Ofsted find Hylands Students Show
'Rapid Progression' and 'Teachers Inspire Students To Do Their Best'……

Since the appointment of Headteacher, David Struthers, 2 years ago, Hylands has embarked on a 'journey of improvement'. Ofsted inspectors found proof of this within pupils test and examination results this year showing rapid academic achievements across the board.

As well as academic performance improving, pupils feel safe and secure and enjoy school life and the majority of parents and carers show overwhelming support for the school. Hylands Leaders and Managers were found to be equally supportive of the Head's plans for this Specialist Science & Maths College.

The School has worked hard to provide students with a wide choice of options giving a great opportunity for pupils to follow their interests. The Science provision in particular has had a good impact on learning and Hylands offers an accelerated programme in Key Stage 3 Science to enable the course to be completed in 2 years, a year earlier than usual. This then allows students to go on and study 3 separate Sciences at KS4.

Student motivation is good in lessons and progress was especially good in English. Inspectors found 'most teachers have a secure knowledge of their subjects and have good relationships with students.' They also found some good teaching with lessons being delivered in an 'interesting, imaginative and engaging' way. 'Teachers inspire students to do their best' and a variety of teaching methods are used in the classroom.

This mixed comprehensive is also one of the very few with a farm on site and the school has recently gained rural dimension status as well as being a member of the National School Farms Network. This rural dimension provides an excellent context for learning and is used in lessons across the curriculum, as well as enhancing links with primary schools and the community.

Hylands also has Investors in People Status, Basic Skill Award, Inclusion Mark and Healthy School Award. The range of subjects on offer is good. As well as traditional academic options, pupils have the opportunity of studying a variety of vocational courses including an Environmental & Land Based Diploma, Information & Communication Technology, Health & Social Care and Media Studies. These alternative curriculum subjects have all proved very successful and lead to accredited qualifications.

Hylands is by no means complacent. The ofsted team recognised that the student outcomes do not yet reflect the positive changes made by David Struthers but acknowledged the impact they were having across the curriculum. The Satisfactory Grade was partly down to a number of students who are persistently absent. To help deal with this small minority the school has recently appointed an Attendance Officer. Further plans for the future include making lessons consistently challenging and imaginative throughout the school, and making sure pupils receive regular feedback. Leaders will also be making sure departmental plans are high on the agenda and fully implemented.

The School's community links are equally good with students actively involved in charitable work, local commercial enterprises, farming as well as links with the Essex Partnership and the Province of Jiangsu in China. Students are also all expected to participate in 2 weeks work experience in Year 10.

Parent of forthcoming Hylands pupils should rest assured that a good and well planned primary liaison programme ensures year 7 pupils experience a smooth transition to secondary school life. There is also effective provision to help any underachieving students in their first year. The majority of current parents also feel the school takes into account their concerns and that it is managed well. As well as their children feeling safe at school, parents also feel that Hylands helps them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Sixth form lesson observations also found students worked effectively and are able to improve their learning by finding opportunities to consolidate classroom teaching with independent work. Students in the sixth form play a leading role in the school as mentors to younger pupils, helping with house competitions, assemblies and acting as community representatives. A good proportion of Year 13 students also go onto university such as top grade student Amelia Thrift who achieved 3A's & 1B in her A level results last Summer.

For further information please contact dentonc@hylands.e-folio.org.uk or call Hylands 01245 266766 Ext. 234.