Students, staff and parents at Ullswater Community College have hit top marks.
Ofsted has just released its report for the school and it makes for “good” reading. Inspectors found it was a “safe and happy” school where “pupils make a strong contribution to the warm and welcoming environment”.
A team visited for two days in April and were also impressed by the “range of opportunities leaders make available (for students) to develop their talents and interests”. The school’s inclusive culture, ambitious curriculum, academic rigour and teachers’ strong subject knowledge all found favour.
They also found that “teachers deal effectively with any rare instances of low-level disruption” and “leaders deal effectively with any rare incidents of bullying”. “UCC is clearly a school that is going from strength to strength,” the inspectors observed.
David Carter, chairman of governors, said: “We are absolutely delighted that all the hard work of students and staff, plus all the support from parents, has brought about the Ofsted judgement that in all areas UCC is classed as good.
“The school is in a strong financial position with both a positive year-end balance and projected surplus budget and we can now look forward with optimism and as masters of our own destiny and our long-term future regarding staying within the local authority structure of Westmorland and Furness or forming a trust as outlined in the Government’s recent white paper.
Two areas for improvement were mentioned. They were that some activities designed by teachers in a small number of subjects must go further to provide the required depth of knowledge and understanding of the curriculum, and that the attendance of some pupils is leading to them missing out on important learning.
Stephen Gilby, headteacher, said: “This report recognises the exceptional work of the school and — most importantly — the outcomes and efforts of our students, parents and the staff of UCC.
“I am simply mirroring the words of the report when I say that staff are extremely proud to work at the school and they value the consideration that leaders give to their wellbeing. It is wonderful to see the many unique strengths of the school captured.
“That pupils achieve well, including those with SEND, and are able to flourish in an inclusive school with a strong culture of safeguarding, is an accurate reflection of the school I see every day.
“Our sixth form has once again been recognised as a significant strength within what is a securely good school, with the roles the sixth form students play highlighting the opportunities and benefits these exceptional young role models have to gain by being a part of UCC.
“Perhaps most important to recognise is how our values of ambitious, caring and equal permeate throughout the school, enabling all to become confident and independent.
“With up to £30 million potentially being invested into the school buildings from the Government’s rebuilding schools programme, our financial position and our Ofsted outcome — these are just some of the many steps we have already taken and will continue to take to achieve our vision of ‘best in county’.”
