The Cabot Learning Federation is the sponsor for ten academies in Bristol, Weston and Bath. Each year, as a result of the different stage of the improvement journey of each Academy, we are expecting OFSTED to inspect us on a regular basis. As a result, all of the reports will be published on this page of our federation website, with the most recent report covered in more detail with a summary outline of its content.

“Hans Price Academy is making good progress”

HPA received a monitoring inspection 9 months after it opened in June 2012 and we are delighted that the Academy is seen to be making good progress and that the contribution of the CLF towards this has been recognised. A number of the comments in the report are a delight but we are particularly proud of these:

-Current academy predictions based on examinations and modules where the results have already been confirmed indicate that standards at the end of Year 11 have made a remarkable improvement, doubling the proportion of students set to gain five or more A* to C grades, including English and mathematics

-As teaching steadily improves, the rate of the students’ learning and progress is accelerating.

-Students report that they feel very safe in the academy and talk positively about the improvements that have been made to support their pastoral needs.

-Students are very proud of their new school uniform and they feel that already their smart appearance has changed some of the negative perceptions of them in the community. They are confident that their reputation is improving and a greater involvement in the wider community is enhancing this situation.

-The principal, who has a proven track record in school improvement, is uncompromising in his drive to improve students’ achievement and ensure that their successes are sustainable in order to maximise future opportunities. His vision for the academy is inspirational but he knows that this will take time to be fully reflected in all aspects of its work

-The quality of support from the Cabot Learning Federation is excellent and valued by the academy leaders. Resources and expertise are shared across the federation. For example, best practice is shared with Hans Price through the secondment of key personnel from other academies within the federation.

To read the Ofsted inspection letter click on  CLF HPA OFSTED Report

Bristol Metropolitan Academy-Section 5 Inspection-June 2012

Bristol Metropolitan Academy-“A Good School”

In May 2012, Bristol Metropolitan Academy was inspected by OFSTED using the new framework for inspection. The outcome was an impressive “good” on all five key judgements.

Karl Sampson, HMI wrote in his report, “This is a good academy where teaching is good overall and some is outstanding. Actions arising from the Principal’s pursuit of excellence have had considerable impact on improving academic outcomes, behaviour and student well-being. The increasing influence of an effective federation wide learning community is being used to drive further improvement. Good relationships and behaviour in classrooms add to an atmosphere of conducive to learning.”

Parents were encouraged to provide feedback to the inspectors and one parent summarised the views of many, saying “The Principal and his staff have transformed the school and have given the community a school to be proud of.” This view was supported by a number of phone calls to the team during the inspection from parents who said that there had seen a significant improvement in the academy since it had opened.

It is clear from the report that the academy has high expectations of its students, who are encouraged to work and socialise together and this fosters good behaviour, positive relationships and tolerance. Students make better progress than their peers nationally, regardless of background, starting point or special education needs. The Academy was particularly pleased to see that the support provided for students who speak English as an additional language was judged to be “outstanding”.

The dynamic leadership of the Principal Steve Taylor has been pivotal in transforming provision and outcomes in the leading time to the academy’s first inspection. He has assembled an excellent team of senior leaders who know the academy’s strengths, plan appropriately for improvement and have the confidence and trust of staff, students and parents.

The Executive Principal acts as an effective bridge between aspects of governance and senior academy leaders to ensure that they are challenged and supported to improve students’ achievements.

Steve Taylor, Principal of Bristol Metropolitan Academy said, “I am immensely proud of the team and the students here at Bristol Met. I have known for some time that the high quality of learning and student experience in our academy was something of a well-kept secret. I am delighted that the inspectors’ findings represent such an accurate reflection of this and their supportive comments are extremely welcome.”

David Carter, Executive Principal of the Cabot Learning Federation said, “This is a fantastic outcome for the Academy and the Cabot Learning Federation. I have always believed that schools working in close collaboration have more chance of making rapid improvement and this has been shown to be true at Bristol Metropolitan Academy. We have an academy to be proud of in a federation that is unique in its structure and capacity to provide support for its academies.”

Click here to download the full report.

Bristol Brunel Academy-Art and Design subject review-February 2012.

Achievement in Art, Craft and Design at Bristol Brunel Academy is good.

Click here to download the full report.

Bristol Brunel Academy-Section 8 Monitoring Report-November 2011.

Bristol Brunel Academy is making good progress.

Click here to download the full report