Education watchdog, Ofsted has been busy in Bristol so far this week with 13 school ratings published up to now (February 15).
Most of the inspections which have been published in 2023 took place in December and have resulted in mostly positive outcomes. Nine primary and four secondary schools were visited by Ofsted with the majority scoring Good ratings and two receiving Inadequate, the lowest mark possible. Bristol Cathedral Choir School scored a Good rating after previously being considered Outstanding - one of just three secondary schools in Bristol to achieve the mark at the time.
Ofsted’s rating system is made up of four rankings, ‘Outstanding’ is the top rating a school can receive, ‘good’ is second, ‘requires improvement’ is the third and ‘inadequate’ is the worst.
Here is every Ofsted grade handed to schools in Bristol so far in 2023:
1. Montpelier High School, Montpelier
Montpelier High School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted on February 2 following a monitoring visit on December 6. The inspector’s report concluded: “Montpelier High School remains inadequate and has serious weaknesses. Leaders have made insufficient progress to improve the school."
2. Lansdown Park Academy, Stockwood
Lansdown Park Academy was rated as Inadequate by Ofsted on February 6 following a monitoring visit on December 13. The inspector concluded in their report: “Lansdown Park Academy remains inadequate and requires special measures. Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the category of concern to be removed. I strongly recommend that the school does not seek to appoint early career teachers."
3. Bristol Cathedral Choir School, College Square
Bristol Cathedral Choir School was rated Good by Ofsted on January 31 following an inspection on November 29. The school was previously one of only three Bristol secondary schools to hold an Outstanding rating before being downgraded. The report noted: “Staff have very high expectations of pupils to which most respond. The school is a calm and orderly place as a result. Disruption to learning is rare. When it occurs, it is caused by a small number of pupils. Bullying is uncommon, but if it happens, staff deal with it swiftly."
4. Ashton Park School, Bower Ashton
Ashton Park School was rated as Good by Ofsted on January 16 following an inspection on December 8. The report stated: “Pupils are happy to attend Ashton Park School. They enjoy their lessons and the range of opportunities the school provides for them. Staff know pupils well and want the best for them. Parents agree that their children enjoy attending and are safe and happy at school."