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Casterton College, in Rutland, maintains 'good' rating but Ofsted to bring forward next inspection




Casterton College principal Carl Smith says staff are aiming for an outstanding Ofsted rating despite concerns being raised at the latest inspection.

The college was rated ‘good’ following an inspection in late March, with the report highlighting many positives of teaching and curriculum, but Ofsted raised concerns over communication with parents and provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

Despite retaining its good rating from 2016, the college will now receive a full inspection within two years, rather than the standard four years for ‘good’ schools.

Casterton College Rutland. Photo: Google (57291135)
Casterton College Rutland. Photo: Google (57291135)

The report said that Send pupils achieve well, but some ‘do not feel staff always understand their needs’, adding that support was ‘inconsistent’.

Some pupils felt incidents they saw as bullying were not always resolved, while younger pupils did not ‘always feel confident to report concerns’.

Inspectors also called for improved communication with parents.

Casterton College principal Carl Smith
Casterton College principal Carl Smith

“Parents recognise the many positive features of the school,” it said.

“However, many do not feel that leaders listen to and respond appropriately to their concerns.”

But Mr Smith said all of their students, including Send pupils, made ‘excellent progress’ while inspectors had not found any poor behaviour.

“Casterton is proud to be a good school and looks forward to being outstanding at our next inspection,” he said.

“Attendance is high, exclusions are low, and teaching and learning is excellent.

“This is remarkable given that the inspection took place at the end of the most challenging term in education in living memory.”

He said Send provision was part of a wider problem and that staff had ‘performed miracles’ during the pandemic.

“Casterton continues to be the highest performing school in Rutland and Stamford, but the pandemic and current national crisis in Send funding means that all schools need more resources to cope with the unprecedented demand for mental health services, particularly for the most vulnerable, and we are no different,” he added.

The report said staff were proud to work at the school, and morale was positive, while leaders were ‘ambitious for all pupils’, promoting inclusion and high aspiration.

“Leaders have a clear philosophy of enabling pupils to achieve successfully and believe that ‘ability is not fixed’,” it said.

“All pupils are entitled to study the same curriculum, which is broad. Pupils and parents value this.”

The curriculum at the ‘inclusive and popular school’ was described as ‘ambitious’ and ‘well led’, while pupils ‘attend well and work hard’ and expectations were ‘high’.

“They know that their teachers want them to be successful,” it added.

“Pupils achieve highly, including those who are disadvantaged.”

l What do you think? Send your views to: rutland.editorial@iliffepublishing.co.uk



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