Ofsted 2011

The Ofsted inspection at the end of September 2011 confirmed that Chew Valley School and its Sixth Form are Outstanding.  Because the school has also been graded outstanding for teaching and learning, it has been placed in the top 13% of schools in the country.

A five-strong inspection team, led by HMI Michael Smith, observed 55 teachers in the course of the inspection and determined that ‘teaching and assessment are excellent, with many examples of outstanding practice.’  Inspectors praised both the achievement and progress of pupils at Chew Valley which are ‘outstanding through a combination of excellent teaching, a highly motivating curriculum which meets students’ needs well, and a highly caring and supportive pastoral system.’

Indeed of the 31 judgements contained in an Ofsted report, 27 were found to be outstanding and the remaining 4 were graded as good.

‘Students and teachers have joshed me for walking on air since the findings of the inspection report have been known!  I am not in the least bit embarrassed to admit that they are right.  I am so delighted for the school, its students, parents, staff and governors that this wonderful school has been recognised by Ofsted as an outstanding one,’ explained headteacher, Mark Mallett.

‘But the thing I am proudest of is that I know it will make very little difference to what happens day in, day out at Chew Valley.  Pupils and staff won’t let Ofsted’s high praise go to their heads.  It will be business as normal as we get on with learning together and enjoying the fulfilment of extra-curricular activity, sport, drama, music, dance and community action through the School Community Council.  And that is why Chew Valley is such a great school!’

Read the full report here.

Read about our 2008 Ofsted here.