Colyton Grammar School retains ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating

News - Jan 20

Following an inspection in November last year, Colyton Grammar School has retained its ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating.

The news comes hard on the heels of the school being ranked ninth in the UK by the Sunday Times Parent Power schools guide.

The school achieved ‘Outstanding’ across the five main elements of the inspection – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and Sixth Form provision.

The inspectors had much to praise at the school, but notably the extraordinarily high standards of teaching, student engagement and the mutual support given to and by all elements of the school – such as Sixth Form students mentoring younger students in subjects where they share a passion.

The school was also praised for its work to ensure that students with special educational needs and/or disabilities achieve as well as their peers and that all students have support and opportunity to reach their full potential regardless of personal circumstances and background.

The inspectors were especially impressed not just by the scholarly approach of students to their work, but also by their enthusiasm to learn beyond the curriculum and the opportunities afforded by the school to help them do so – from a variety of clubs to outdoor education, school trips and participation in national competitions.

Also praised were the school’s work in the areas of equality, diversification and inclusion, wellbeing and safeguarding, leading to what the inspectors called “a culture of appreciation of others for who they are and what they can contribute.”

The ‘Outstanding’ rating comes at a time when Colyton Grammar School is contributing to widening access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds through local primary school outreach and working with the Grammar School Heads’ Association, and for which it was praised by the Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi when he was Secretary of State for Education.

It is also contributing to teacher development across Devon in its role as a Teaching School Hub covering East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge. With the Kingsbridge Teaching School Hub it forms the South West Institute for Teaching dedicated to the training, development and retention of teachers across the county.

Head Teacher Tim Harris commented: “At a time when many schools have been downgraded from ‘Outstanding’, my thanks and congratulations go to our students, their parents and my colleagues for maintaining everything which makes this school so special. We were pleased that the inspectors not only highlighted our academic success, but also our commitment to nurturing the whole student and preparing them for their lives beyond the school.”