The Colne Community School and College has been rated Good in all areas following an Ofsted inspection in June.
Inspectors praised the Brightlingsea school’s positive attitude to learning and ambitious curriculum, giving the school a Good rating for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
The report said that pupils develop positive attitudes to learning and are respectful to each other and to adults. It also noted that the “dedication and determination” of school and Sigma Trust leaders meant “pupils get the good school they deserve.”
Inspectors commented: “Pupils value the key messages and topics taught to them through the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum, assemblies and tutorial time. A well-planned careers curriculum shows pupils the range of ambitious opportunities available to them. Consequently, pupils are well prepared for their next steps.”
They added: “The school’s pastoral provision is an important part of school life. A range of counselling and mental health support is available for pupils if they find school life challenging. This helps pupils to build their resilience and remain in school.”
The report also stated that: “Pupils are proud of the opportunities they experience to become leaders or help others by, for example, acting as peer mentors, mental health champions or supporting others with their reading.”
Neil Gallagher, executive headteacher at the Colne, said: “This report is testament to the hard work and dedication of our highly talented staff – their work has been relentless and this report is a reflection of that.
“I am incredibly proud of our Colne community, and all the staff and students, and I am confident that the school will continue to improve, providing an exceptional Colne education as a foundation for our students’ futures.”
The number of clubs and trips for pupils was said to be returning to pre-pandemic levels and effective safeguarding and PSHE curriculum were also praised following the two-day inspection.
