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Ofsted

Following Ofsted's visit in July we are pleased to report, despite the pandemic slowing down our progress, we have continued on our journey of change and lots of improvements have been made. The inspectors have highlighted positive developments in different aspects of the school:

Overall Progress

  • Leaders, supported by trustees and the local authority, have begun to make positive changes to the school. The pandemic, however, has slowed a lot of their work.
  • Arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Teaching and Learning

  • Across the school, reading is a key feature of school life. Pupils read widely in class, experiencing a range of interesting and engaging texts from different genres and cultures.
  • Staff know, and use well, appropriate phonics programmes to teach pupils to read.
  • Many teachers have good subject knowledge.

Behaviour

  • New behaviour routines with higher expectations have led to improvements. Pupils are increasingly being respectful towards their peers and teachers, particularly when in lessons.
  • Leaders have raised the bar with regard to what type of behaviour is expected in the school. There is a clear set of rewards and sanctions. Personal Development is good.

Personal Development and Extra-Curricular Activities

  • Personal Development is rated "Good".
  • There is a growing number of clubs, trips and experiences. ... Pupils that attend clubs, such as ‘robotics’ take part in national competitions.

Vulnerable Students and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

  • Leaders have improved aspects of school provision for some of the most vulnerable pupils. There is a clear process to support pupils who find reading tricky.
  • Information about pupils with SEND is shared with teachers. Teachers are using this information with increasing effectiveness to improve the support that pupils with SEND receive.

Sixth Form

  • The Sixth Form provision is rated "Good".
  • The Sixth Form is a harmonious community where students support and care for one another. They are excellent role models for younger pupils.
  • Students in the Sixth Form are well prepared for their next step in life.
  • Pupils and students in the Sixth Form access a well planned personal, health and economic education curriculum. Pupils learn about topics such as finance and relationships. They benefit from clear independent careers advice and guidance.
  • The Sixth Form curriculum is clearly designed and implemented well by teachers . Assessment is appropriate and linked clearly to the key knowledge taught. Students progress well.
  • Sixth Form students ... enjoy their trips abroad to places such as Italy.

 

Areas for Improvements and Action Being Taken in Response

Whilst inspectors noted that most students and their families are engaging positively with school life, we still have improvements to make, particularly with some students and families who have found the pandemic most challenging. To that end, we have already launched a number of strategies including:

  • A ‘Student Engagement Team’ leader for each year group : These staff, working closely with the Head of Learning, will engage directly with the most vulnerable students and their families during the school day, helping ensure that these students are fully benefiting from school life.
  • A free breakfast for students from families in need of assistance to ensure that students are on time and are ready for the school day.
  • An expansion of alternative provision opportunities to engage vulnerable students.
  • A Parent Teacher Association starting in the Autumn Term 2022 to involve parents more fully in school life.

We are working hard to improve Hertswood Academy and look forward to all students and families working with us to develop a truly cohesive community.

Ofsted - Hertswood Academy | OFSTED.GOV.UK

Ofsted Report 2022 | PDF

 

Ofsted Website Quotes   2022 2

Ofsted Website Quotes   2022 1

Latest Tweets

🎭 Recently, was delighted to welcome the fantastic performers from the Quantum Theatre touring company for a production of , our Year 11's GCSE text.Shakespeare's dark tale of ambition and the toll it takes was brought expertly to the Academy's theatre. pic.twitter.com/yL513jGJWa
@ HertswoodUK - Mar 19, 2024
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⚽ Congratulations to 's Audley and Ollie (Year 8) on being selected by the QPR Advanced Development Programme to take part in an upcoming youth football tournament in Salou, Barcelona, as a result of their hard work in the QPR Development Squad. pic.twitter.com/rn5HDxCTb3
@ HertswoodUK - Mar 18, 2024
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📚 Great to see so many Year 7 students and staff at embracing the joy of reading by dressing up for yesterday! pic.twitter.com/AHXdk3gCSS
@ HertswoodUK - Mar 08, 2024
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Great to introduce the community to Ted the tortoise, and some of our guinea pigs, including Gelato, at our Community Raising Achievement Day.School dogs Riley and Ada were around as usual, to eagerly greet visitors! 🐢🐕👍 pic.twitter.com/m26cyFXpIq
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 28, 2024
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Yesterday, the Academy was delighted to welcome parents and carers to 's first Community Raising Achievement Day!Some quotes from parents:💬 An excellent update on the pupils' performance💬 I thought the information in the atrium was inspiring💬 Amazing! pic.twitter.com/s6eXBqvFNU
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 28, 2024
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@ HertswoodUK - Feb 16, 2024
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🎨📅 Week of Art - FridayOur final artist this week is Paige (Year 13). Enjoy her work, and look forward to more art in the future!💬 'Paige shows a natural flair for painting and drawing. Her portraits are exceptional and a credit to her hard work.' -Mrs Getley pic.twitter.com/xgRXUPw01G
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 16, 2024
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🎨📅 Week of Art - ThursdayAs we continue our Week of Art, we are delighted to share some fantastic pieces by Don (Year 10).💬 'Don has shown a keen interest in Art since joining Hertswood in Year 7. He has worked really hard to extend his knowledge and skills.' -Mrs Getley pic.twitter.com/60UJgiELd6
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 15, 2024
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🎨📅 Week of Art - WednesdayNahla (Year 10) is our next featured artist -- enjoy a selection of the artwork she is most proud of.💬 'I have really enjoyed art classes at Hertswood, as they have developed my technique drastically! The art teachers have taught me a lot.' -Nahla pic.twitter.com/DEzs0QexFe
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 14, 2024
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🎨📅 Week of Art - TuesdayToday we have a selection of superb works by Din (Year 13), who has created some impressive hyperrealistic outcomes.💬 'The attention to detail that Din's work commands is really awe inspiring. His pieces show real skill and originality.' -Mrs Getley pic.twitter.com/eJ0QT6F0B0
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 13, 2024
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🎨📅 Week of Art - MondayThis week we will be showcasing the works of individual artists at Hertswood, starting with these outstanding pieces by Mia (Year 13).💬 'My passion lies in painting in oils, where I heavily lean into the themes of reflection, water and nature.' -Mia pic.twitter.com/1z6oAgiWvJ
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 12, 2024
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Stunning Saharan sands over last night during training! A community pillar with great facilities at very reasonable prices supporting many of our juniors learn the game. Keep up the good work guys! pic.twitter.com/NVXTat7EuH
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 05, 2024
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Stunning Saharan sands over last night during training! A community pillar with great facilities at very reasonable prices supporting many of our juniors learn the game. Keep up the good work guys! pic.twitter.com/NVXTat7EuH
@ HertswoodUK - Feb 02, 2024
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Great to receive a visit from the to last week, for students to learn about careers opportunities in the Army, and for some tough team-building challenges!💬 'It's nice to be in a school where the students really want to get involved.' -Corporal Bond. pic.twitter.com/dIcFOZW0tV
@ HertswoodUK - Jan 31, 2024
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⚽🥇 Congratulations to our Year 8 Football Team, who last week won the District 7-A-Side Football Tournament!The event was hosted at , with seven schools competing. The team took the victory in a tense 1-0 final against . pic.twitter.com/CoHGkPBgOJ
@ HertswoodUK - Jan 29, 2024
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🌎 Great to see receive a visit from Morgan before the winter break!Leaving last year with AAB A-Levels and Distinction* BTEC, Morgan earned a scholarship to study at Emory University, in Georgia, USA. pic.twitter.com/DcE1xhlnDt
@ HertswoodUK - Jan 18, 2024
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📷💡 Harvey (Year 10) took this outstanding photograph today at , making use of coloured gels and studio lighting. He impressed the Photography team with his hard work in their studio lighting masterclass. pic.twitter.com/dxfPFgr8zd
@ HertswoodUK - Jan 17, 2024
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@ HertswoodUK - Dec 22, 2023
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🏆 Congratulations to 's Students of the Term -- Austin (Year 7), Viviana (Year 8), Tia (Year 9), Lilia (Year 10), Finley (Year 11), Aryan (Year 12) and Andrew (Year 13). pic.twitter.com/D5C0XKU7No
@ HertswoodUK - Dec 21, 2023
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🐶 school dog Riley has had some support in her responsibilities this term. We are very happy to introduce you to Ada, a very excitable labradoodle!They have been working together to put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces -- students, staff and visitors alike! pic.twitter.com/PquUTAe9j5
@ HertswoodUK - Dec 20, 2023
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