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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

🎭🎶 Over the summer, the Theatre will see a sizeable upgrade, including an on-stage hub console, new lighting/speakers/projection/curtains, and an enhanced control room for larger productions.We look forward to all members of our community enjoying the benefits! pic.twitter.com/YC3WKc51bx
@ HertswoodUK - May 24, 2023
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Through last week, 's Headteacher, Mr Gillett, visited year groups for engaging assemblies on 'technological convergence', the tendency of unrelated technologies to integrate over time. The assemblies even included a live display of drone technology! pic.twitter.com/HXseBIpzcC
@ HertswoodUK - May 24, 2023
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⚗🔬 's Sixth Form chemists were delighted to visit this week, to learn more about pharmacology courses, and to experience some fantastic virtual reality tools for exploring complex molecules! pic.twitter.com/QRsgwHzKbi
@ HertswoodUK - May 18, 2023
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Thanks once again to for sponsoring netball at , with our Year 7 team having now received their student-designed netball dresses! pic.twitter.com/zAGHSCIcub
@ HertswoodUK - May 16, 2023
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Great work in the kitchen by some of 's students, sharing their talent and culture by preparing the traditional Afghan dish 'bolani', a fried and stuffed flatbread. 🥘🍽 pic.twitter.com/e1DxH0VK60
@ HertswoodUK - May 16, 2023
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Last week a group of Year 10&11 students travelled to Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Race Obstacle Course for a challenging and muddy experience.Their trials involved balance, climbing, hanging strength, bravely wading through lakes, and taking on the 'Water Deathslide'. pic.twitter.com/AawIBT5UV2
@ HertswoodUK - May 15, 2023
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👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 This year, four young chemists from took on the tough UK Chemistry Olympiad. The competition tests their critical problem-solving skills, creativity, and the application of their knowledge to new real-world situations. pic.twitter.com/3MRPmMSIlK
@ HertswoodUK - May 15, 2023
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👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 This year, four young chemists from took on the tough UK Chemistry Olymiad. The competition tests their critical problem-solving skills, creativity, and the application of their knowledge to new real-world situations. pic.twitter.com/89B0By3Eod
@ HertswoodUK - May 15, 2023
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📖✍🔢 Congratulations to the students who worked hard to produce number-inspired mini sagas, to be published in the new book, 'Integer: Number of the Imagination.' pic.twitter.com/BZV6FyC9VB
@ HertswoodUK - May 09, 2023
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🍰👑 With funding generously provided by , today we were delighted to be able to offer all students cake to mark the coronation of King Charles III.The students also competed in a quiz regarding traditions and history of British coronations. pic.twitter.com/8hSQhQQ07j
@ HertswoodUK - May 05, 2023
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♟🏆 Congratulations to Ethan (Y12) and Max (Y7) on making it through the group and tournament stages to 's Chess Club final!Ethan won the game after a friendly but tense match, with less than thirty seconds left on his clock, earning a trophy from Mr Gillett. pic.twitter.com/7NP3djv9LE
@ HertswoodUK - May 05, 2023
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🎶🎤 Voices glad to have participated in the at the on Sunday.The students have been rehearsing twice a week since January to learn their five pieces, ranging from arrangements of Daft Punk, through to Parry's anthem 'I was Glad'. pic.twitter.com/p5utLH1Z5t
@ HertswoodUK - May 03, 2023
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🏀🥇🏆 's Year 7 Basketball team this week received medals, blazer pins, a trophy and Amazon vouchers as an extra prize, to recognise their achievement in winning the District Championship. pic.twitter.com/PZNbiQfJGo
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 27, 2023
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's GCSE students had a great time participating in RoboCon 2023 at Hills Road College, including building and programming their "sheep" herding robot in the build-up to the competition. pic.twitter.com/NynBK2m0o5
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 26, 2023
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⚙🏆 Great work by 's Sixth Form Student Robotics team, winning 70% of the league matches at the University of Southampton, and making it as far as the Quarter Finals. pic.twitter.com/TwYBysUSOf
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 25, 2023
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⚙🏆 Great work by 's Sixth Form Student Robotics team, winning 70% of their league matches at the University of Southampton, and making it as far as the Quarter Finals. pic.twitter.com/rc7WRBcc9I
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 25, 2023
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🎶 GCSE Music students from visited a lecture-concert at the Stevenage Music Centre recently, led by the incredible Patrick Bailey.For most of them it was their first live classical concert, and featured many of the GCSE Music set works, and a great Q&A session. pic.twitter.com/iXnK8wvfAz
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 25, 2023
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🎥 Welcome to Academy... pic.twitter.com/NrTOn3fiBT
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 21, 2023
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Thanks to the Community Programme for its donation of resources for our DT Dept., as part of their efforts to support local communities.With the products, Y8 are building storage boxes, Y9 completing a lamp project, and Y10 working on a practice GCSE Assessment. pic.twitter.com/v52nflbvVP
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 17, 2023
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🎶 Great performances from the entrants in 's House Dance Competition before the Easter break, impressing the PE Team enormously!All of the talented participants earned points for their House. 🔵🟢🟡🔴 pic.twitter.com/12y5aILgBE
@ HertswoodUK - Apr 05, 2023
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