Penrith’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School has been rated good in all areas after an inspection by Ofsted.
This was the first routine inspection that the school has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, the overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision were all rated good.
The team of inspectors spent two days in school observing lessons. They reviewed samples of pupils’ work, spoke with teachers and pupils about their learning, as well as governors and parents through the Ofsted Parent View facility.
They also spent time reviewing a range of documentation, including behaviour and attendance records, self-evaluation documentation and minutes of meetings held by those responsible for governance.
As part of this inspection, inspectors carried out deep dives in mathematics, art and design, English, history, and physical education.
They found that teachers have designed an “aspirational and ambitious academic curriculum to ensure that pupils, including students in the sixth form and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can live up to the aspirations that leaders have for them.”
Inspectors said teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subjects and use their expertise to design learning well.
Leaders have also ensured that there is a suitable programme to support pupils’ and students’ wider development, such as careers advice and guidance and
extra-curricular activities and commented that the school is a “hive of activity.”
Pupils, including students in the sixth form, are happy to attend school each day, which is reflected in their high rates of attendance.
Staff are also proud to work at the school, with many staff commenting positively on the changes made in recent months to the senior leadership team and governance.
David Marchant, headteacher of the school, said: “We are delighted to have received the new rating from Ofsted, which highlights the hard work we are
doing to move the school forward in the right direction.
“It outlines how happy the pupils are, as well as the team who work here. We challenge and encourage our pupils in the right ways to ensure they have a good education and are prepared well for the next stage of their education, employment or training.”
QEGS has faced several challenges, especially over the past six to 12 months, after a report revealed that £1.5m of funds claimed by the school for improvement work must be paid back, and parents voiced their anger over a “rushed” plan to join an academy trust in the west of the county.
The new Ofsted report details how the leadership of the school has since been “strengthened considerably”.
Along with a new headteacher, there is a newly elected board of trustees who provide an appropriate level of challenge to leaders and have the knowledge and skills
to hold leaders to account fully for the quality of education that pupils receive.
Mr Marchant added: “Following our recent inspection, we are eager to improve further and won’t be resting on our laurels.
“We want to put what has been a turbulent few months behind us, and concentrate on moving on.
“With a strong leadership team and improved governance, we are determined to continue to work with our community to provide the best possible education for the
children in our care.”
