Ofsted

‘Dear All,

I am delighted to share the outcome of our recent Ofsted, the new framework does not provide an overall judgment but separate gradings on different aspects of school. The new gradings of strong standard and expected standard have a higher status than the old language of good and outstanding and to help you with this I am sharing a link to the Ofsted guide on the new report cards and grades. Understanding Ofsted report cards and grades – GOV.UK  

We are all immensely proud that Leadership and Governance was graded as Strong Standard with ’clear, consistent and purposeful leadership’ and ‘decisions being driven by what is best for the pupils.’ The Safeguarding culture was highly praised and the description of what it means to be a pupil at CNS should leave you extremely proud and reassured that your child is a part of the CNS community. The report says ‘Pupils are happy at this caring, inclusive school. Pupils’ wellbeing is a high priority. The school has high expectations for all pupils, including those with barriers to learning. Staff are ambitious for everyone to succeed. As a result, pupils develop a clear sense of belonging and feel part of the school community.’

Ofsted found that pupils are taught well, make good progress and benefit from a broad curriculum, high expectations and effective support when needed. Inspectors were particularly positive about the culture of inclusion, the strength of our pastoral care and the way pupils develop a strong sense of belonging. 

The inspection recognised our school as a caring, inclusive and ambitious place where pupils feel safe, valued and supported. Inspectors highlighted the strong relationships across the school and the shared commitment of staff to helping every young person succeed. 

The report also recognised improvements in attendance and behaviour, as well as the many opportunities available beyond the classroom. From clubs, trips and music to leadership roles and personal development activities, pupils are encouraged to grow in confidence, responsibility and character. 

CNS Sixth Form was praised for its inclusive ethos, strong academic support and excellent preparation for future education, employment and training. 

The report identifies next steps in improving attendance and ensuring all students receive high-quality precision teaching in every lesson. Our culture of continuous improvement has these at the forefront of our improvement plans.

We are incredibly proud that Ofsted recognised our vision of “Excellence in All” and the positive experiences of our pupils. This report reflects the hard work of our staff, the dedication of our pupils and the ongoing support of our families. 

Together, we will continue to build on these strengths and provide the very best opportunities for every child. Thank you for your continued support and the important part you play in our school community.’

Yours sincerely,

Ms Jo Philpott,                        

Headteacher