Events
ADCOTE CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE WITH INSPECTION SUCCESSES
According to the recently published Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Report, Adcote School for Girls "Fully achieves its aims to deliver successful educational achievements through good teaching, leading to pupils meeting and generally exceeding individual academic expectations."
The overall conclusions which sum up the inspectors' findings were overwhelmingly positive and filled with glowing comments about Adcote stating that "The leadership has a clear vision for the school's development and is supported by an effective senior management team and backed by hardworking and caring staff, who work very well together as a team to provide education, pastoral care and support of high quality."
The ISI Inspectors judged Adcote as 'outstanding' in its provision of pastoral care and boarding facilities as well as providing specialist support for those with learning difficulties following the school's inspections last term. The report also praised the standard of teaching which was judged to be "very good and often excellent" and "an important element in the achievement by pupils of good national test and public examination results."
As for the girls, the ISI inspectors' assessment was that Adcote pupils were "articulate, polite and their behaviour is exceptionally good'. They also found that "Pupils' respect for others and their interest and care for each other are of a high order." The reported response from parents as being "very satisfied with the education provided and the high standards achieved by the pupils" was an equally resounding endorsement of their support for the school.
The ISI inspection, which is the independent school's equivalent of OFSTED was carried out from 20th-23rd November 2006. The inspectors examined samples of the pupils' work, observed lessons and conducted formal interviews with pupils. They held discussions with teaching and non-teaching staff and with the governors, observed a sample of the extra-curricular activities that occurred during the inspection period and attended registration sessions and assemblies. Inspectors also visited the boarding house.
At the same time the Commission of Social Care Inspection (CSCI) who are responsible for accessing boarding facilities were equally keen to praise the pastoral aspects of Adcote when they too made their inspection last term.
Once again independent responses from parents to the CSCI's questionnaires endorsed the inspectors' findings with comments such as "There is a strong parent, child, school partnership which is exceptionally rare" and "The pastoral care has helped my daughter improve her academic attainment. A happy child learns more readily." Whilst the boarding house pupils' responses to the inspectors' questions included "We are like a really close family" and "The atmosphere is great you are with your friends and get good privacy which is respected."
A delighted Adcote Head, Debbie Hammond told us "Although we have only just received the published report the ISI inspectors gave us a verbal summary which was extremely complimentary about every aspect of the school. One of the inspectors even went as far to say that he was so impressed by the school he felt it deserved to be bigger."
"How tragic it would have been if the school had been allowed to close back in April 2003. Today thanks to the support we've received Adcote is an extremely happy school which is more financially secure than it has ever been in its 100 year history."
"These reports are both excellent and a fitting tribute to the achievements and dedication provided by staff, pupils, parents and governors. The inspectors saw Adcote as it really is - a successful forward-thing school which is totally committed to providing girls with the highest standards of education."
The full text of the inspection report can be viewed at http://www.isinspect.org.uk/.
Adcote is one of the top non-selective schools of its size in the country with an impressive record of achievements in both academic and extra-curricular activities. The school recognises the importance of encouraging pupils to exceed their expectations and achieve their full potential by providing girls aged 4-18 years with a happy, safe and caring environment in which to learn. Small class sizes and individual attention ensure girls receive an education for life in the twenty-first century.
[Picture caption: Some of the Adcote staff celebrating their inspection successes are pictured with Head Debbie Hammond (back row from left to right) Liz Stephenson, Roger Gleenslade and Louise Hudson. Front Gill Wragg, Ginny Daley, Julie Blackford, Carol Price-Jones and Rene Hilton.]