Arnold Hill Spencer celebrate 'Good' Ofsted with 'Outstanding' Sixth Form
Staff and pupils at Arnold Hill Spencer Academy are celebrating after the school was judged ‘Good’ in four categories and ‘Outstanding’ for sixth form in its June inspection. The report means that Arnold Hill Spencer is now at least ‘good’ in every aspect, replacing its previous ‘requires improvement’ judgement from 2023. Arnold Hill Spencer is now also one of only a handful of schools in Nottinghamshire to have an ‘outstanding’ sixth form – an exceptional moment for the academy and community.
Ofsted identified a wealth of strengths in Arnold Hill Spencer, including a number of the highlights below:
"Arnold Hill Spencer Academy has high expectations of what all pupils will achieve. It provides a challenging curriculum that is designed well to meet pupils’ aspirations. The school wants all pupils to ‘be inspired and achieve together".
"The school’s curriculum offer in the sixth form allows for students to achieve exceptionally well. Teachers use their expert subject knowledge to work with eager and dedicated students."
"One student reflected the views of many by saying that they are ‘proud to be the ambassadors of the school'."
"The curriculum is broad and ambitious for all. Pupils in key stage 3 enjoy a wide range of subjects. At key stage 4, pupils choose from a well-considered offer of academic and vocational courses. The focus on cultural experiences beyond the classroom has had a positive impact on pupils’ enthusiasm for languages."
"Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported."
Ian Simpson, Executive Principal, said: "I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Arnold Hill Spencer staff who work so hard for our children every day – it’s great that the report acknowledges their commitment and the value that they feel. I’d also like to praise our fantastic students. During the visit, inspectors saw how proud and loyal our young people were about their school. Finally, I’d like to thank our families, parents and carers. Arnold Hill Spencer succeeds because of the ongoing support and relationships we have with them."
Fraser Mitchell, Director of Secondary Education for The Spencer Academies Trust, agreed: "This is a landmark judgement for the academy. We’re delighted for the community that Arnold Hill Spencer is now judged as a good school, and even prouder of the recognition for its outstanding sixth form. This is just the beginning – we will continue to be restless in our drive to make Arnold Hill Spencer the best school it can be."
Paul West, Chief Executive Officer of The Spencer Academies Trust said: “Arnold Hill Spencer is an academy working incredibly hard to ensure that young people in their community can access a high-quality education. Having this recognised by Ofsted is an important milestone, and our congratulations go to all staff, students and parents."
Arnold Hill Spencer’s successful Ofsted inspection comes hot on the heels of the celebration of Rushcliffe Spencer’s outstanding judgement in May, crowning a successful summer for the Trust’s Nottinghamshire secondaries. It also means that all three of The Spencer Academies Trust’s Nottinghamshire sixth forms are now judged ‘outstanding’, with George Spencer Academy being the third.
