Desborough College principal 'very proud' as school maintains Good Ofsted rating

The principal of Desborough College said he is ‘very proud’ after learning the school has maintained its Good Ofsted rating following a recent inspection.

Inspectors visited the school in Shoppenhangers Road, which is part of the Pioneer Educational Trust, for a two-day inspection in May.

Ofsted praised the school’s new leadership, particularly for recently putting in place policies which have ‘improved students' attendance and instilled higher expectations for independent study’.

The report also remarked students, including those who are disadvantaged, 'achieve well in most subjects’.

Inspectors also praised the curriculum for being ‘well planned and delivered’ and added that ‘staff know their subjects well and teach with enthusiasm that engages pupils’.

Leaders and teachers at the school have put in place a new ‘fast start’ routine which is ‘consistently embedded across the school, supporting pupils to revisit previous learning’, the report said.

They added that sixth formers ‘benefit from precise feedback and tailored support, which helps them achieve well’.

But the report also remarked that some subjects have new leadership and due to this, the curriculum thinking is ‘less well developed’, and pupils’ learning is 'not always as secure’.

Another aspect that received praise was the extra-curricular offering, with pupils able to access a ‘broad range of extra-curricular activities, clubs and trips’.

Improving provision for pupils with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) is also being prioritised by the school and inspectors stated that ‘staff receive regular training and are well informed about these pupils’ needs’.

They added that ‘many pupils achieve well as a result of the support they receive’, but staff ‘do not consistently adapt their teaching to support pupils with SEND to achieve their very best’.

Ofsted also said the ‘newly developed behaviour policy sets high expectations for pupils’ conduct’ and the pastoral team follows up ‘quickly on any poor behaviour and bullying’.

However, they added that the behaviour of a minority of students ‘continues to fall short of the school’s expectations’, with this happening most frequently in cover lessons and when staff ‘do not implement the behaviour policy as consistently as leaders intend’.

The school is already seeking to further develop subject leaders to make sure that students’ learning is ‘secure across the curriculum’.

Andy Murdoch, principal at Desborough College, said: “I am very proud of this recent Ofsted result, which reflects the hard work of every single member of staff at Desborough College, and our brilliant pupils.

“Our priority remains providing our pupils with high-quality teaching and learning that enables and empowers them to have bright futures.

“We are committed to our journey of ongoing improvement and I look forward to continuing to work with our whole school community to make our school even better.”

Antonia Spinks, chief executive officer of Pioneer Educational Trust, said: “This result is a testament to the brilliant work of Mr Murdoch, the leadership team and all the staff at Desborough College, who have all helped to make the school an exciting, innovative place to learn.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with the school to ensure they keep providing a first-class education that ensures their pupils develop their own identity alongside a respectful understanding of their community.”