As you will be aware, Ofsted inspected the school in the first week of this term. This was a routine inspection and was carried out to see if the school was still “Good” according to the Ofsted criteria. The inspection saw three inspectors visit the school. They went to 30 lessons across five departments: English, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages and Science. They spoke to a large number of students, to teachers and members of the school’s leadership team as well as to Governors. It was an intensive two days.

The outcome of the inspection was confidential until the release of the report; that is why I haven’t been able to say anything to you sooner. As the report has now been released, I can feedback to you on the findings of the inspection team.

I am very pleased that the inspection team agreed with our own assessment that Severn Vale remains a Good school. I was particularly pleased that they said:

• The school provides a calm, orderly environment in which pupils can learn
• Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve
• Positive relationships between staff and pupils support pupils’ learning
• Teachers make learning interesting, and pupils are keen to take part
• Behaviour is good
• Pupils’ personal development is fundamental to the work of the school
• Pupils are happy at the school.

They have given the school two clear targets:

1. Leadership in Geography –Developments in Geography had already been identified as a priority for our school. I am pleased with the progress being made, particularly since September 2019.
    
2. Increasing numbers taking MfL at KS4 - GCSE results in MfL were strong in 2019. We have increased the number of option groups for the current year in the expectation of an increase in students opting to continue to study French to GCSE. This will be reflected in E-Bacc numbers in two years’ time.

The letter to parents from Ofsted following the inspection is attached. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Thank you for the support you provide the school.

Richard Johnson

As you will be aware, Ofsted inspected the school in the first week of this term. This was a routine inspection and was carried out to see if the school was still “Good” according to the Ofsted criteria. The inspection saw three inspectors visit the school. They went to 30 lessons across five departments: English, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages and Science. They spoke to a large number of students, to teachers and members of the school’s leadership team as well as to Governors. It was an intensive two days.

The outcome of the inspection was confidential until the release of the report; that is why I haven’t been able to say anything to you sooner. As the report has now been released, I can feedback to you on the findings of the inspection team.

I am very pleased that the inspection team agreed with our own assessment that Severn Vale remains a Good school. I was particularly pleased that they said:

• The school provides a calm, orderly environment in which pupils can learn
• Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve
• Positive relationships between staff and pupils support pupils’ learning
• Teachers make learning interesting, and pupils are keen to take part
• Behaviour is good
• Pupils’ personal development is fundamental to the work of the school
• Pupils are happy at the school.

They have given the school two clear targets:

1. Leadership in Geography –Developments in Geography had already been identified as a priority for our school. I am pleased with the progress being made, particularly since September 2019.
    
2. Increasing numbers taking MfL at KS4 - GCSE results in MfL were strong in 2019. We have increased the number of option groups for the current year in the expectation of an increase in students opting to continue to study French to GCSE. This will be reflected in E-Bacc numbers in two years’ time.

The letter to parents from Ofsted following the inspection can be found below. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Thank you for the support you provide the school.

Richard Johnson
Headteacher