Ofsted Praise
Charles Edward Brooke School receives praise from Ofsted under tougher new inspection regime
Ofsted report commends school for its outstanding curriculum and inclusive ethos
Charles Edward Brooke School in Camberwell is delighted to share exceptional results from its recent Ofsted inspection. The inspection, carried out at the end of September 2009, under the new tougher framework officially judged the school to be ‘good’, with a curriculum that is outstanding in the way that it meets students’ needs.
The report points to the school’s relentless drive to build on the strengths of its specialist areas of media, arts and music in order to raise students’ performance across all subjects. It stated ‘the school is determined that its inclusive ethos should enable students of all backgrounds to look forward to ‘a bright tomorrow’.’The report further congratulates the leadership and staff, stating ‘progress and learning are accelerating because of the determination of the headteacher, with support of many staff, to ensure students leave school with the very best exam results.’
The Headteacher, Wendy Cooper said, “This is a tremendous achievement for the school and the result of the hard work and determination of the whole school community. We are extremely pleased with this outcome, which recognises the very real gains that have been made. We are determined to build on the successes achieved to date and move the school from good to outstanding and to continue to drive up students’ achievements within a positive and supportive environment.”
The report praised the school’s emphasis on high expectations and noted the considerable improvements to achievement, in particular at Key Stage 4. The quality of the teaching and the breadth of the curriculum are also recognised in the report which stated that ‘courses have been developed so that the students now have outstanding opportunities to follow areas well matched to their interests and needs.’
The report also emphasised how the school successfully nurtures and supports students’ independence and initiative, helping them develop into confident and responsible young adults. Students with special educational needs make particularly fast progress, as a result of well-focused guidance and help and those who join the school with little or no English make fast progress in speaking and listening. The report highlights that students feel safe in school and above all, ‘are motivated to learn because of their good relationships with staff and each other’. Indeed, students who come from a very wide range of cultural backgrounds told the inspectors, ‘We see ourselves as a family and we look out for each other’.
The report points to the innovative and stimulating range of activities that students are involved in, making particular reference to the active School Council and the experience students have performing music and dance in major London venues, working with professional radio and television broadcasters, taking part in art exhibitions and working with world famous professionals like the Poet Laureate.
Charles Edward Brooke is at an exciting stage of its development, having scooped a top award earlier this year for being the most improved school in Lambeth after the success of its GCSE results in 2008. This year the school’s results rocketed again, exceeding the school’s targets and achieving an outstanding 22% improvement in just two years in the number of students who gained five or more A*-C grades with English and mathematics. Just under half of the students gained five or more higher GCSE grades including English and mathematics, and there was also a considerable increase in the number of students gaining A* and A grades another aspect praised in the recent Ofsted report
The Headteacher, Wendy Cooper went on to say ‘We are committed to the ongoing success and development of our students and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that they all receive the highest quality education.’
To read our most recent Ofsted, please click here.
Personal appointments and tours of the school for prospective students and their families can be arranged by booking an appointment via the school office.
