Letter from the principal - (Click here to view - pdf reader required)

Full Ofsted Report - (Click here to view - pdf reader required)

Top 10 Quotes from Ofsted:

1) 'Earl Mortimer ... has made some significant improvements over recent years. There are an increasing range of good aspects. The College has been transformed by the impressive new buildings, changes to the timings of the College day and new uniform. It has been the start of a new era in the life of the College and the town it serves.'

2) 'The College is a calm and welcoming place where students learn in a supportive and inclusive environment. It is a harmonious community with a strong ethos, which ensures that students work well together and behaviour is good.'

3) 'The College ensures that helpful and personalised support is available to students. Students feel safe and enjoy College. The well-organised curriculum provides students with a wide range of opportunities to learn effectively.'

4) 'GCSE results are good in science, design technology, sports courses and modern foreign languages. The GCSE results in 2011 show a continued rising trend in the percentage achieving five or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent, which is above the national average. A sharp focus on driving improvement in the core subjects through rigorous tracking and monitoring of students' progress and a range of intervention strategies is starting to have a clear impact.'

5) Students maintain that bullying is rare and that it is effectively tackled when it becomes known. They behave considerately towards each other during lessons and around the College. Movement between lessons is calm and purposeful; large numbers of students congregate in the 'street' area during break and lunchtime in a consistently cooperative and well behaved manner.'

6) The majority of lesson plans include clear and appropriate learning objectives based on the assessment of prior learning so that learning is consolidated and extended. There is a wide range of activities to engage, motivate and build the independence of students. Staff and students use information and communication technology effectively to support learning across the curriculum.'

7) 'The curriculum at Key Stage 4 offers a broad range of course options, including a growing number of vocational courses. This effectively meets the needs and aspirations of the students. Strong partnerships exist with other local schools. The curriculum is enhanced by a range of 'drop down' timetable days that provide good opportunities for students to develop a wide range of cross-curricular skills.'

8) 'The specialism in sports is contributing to raising standards and a real strength of the college ... The College has a wide range of successful sports teams which also provide a wealth of opportunities for less talented performers to participate in sport. The sports status informs other curriculum areas with particular focus on leadership, communication enabling students to become more effective participants and independent learners.'

9) 'Middle Leaders have a good understanding of data and whole college priorities. The data systems used by the College are very comprehensive and provide robust data which the College can monitor student progress against targets. Senior leaders have consistently communicated high expectations about teaching learning to staff and provide an accurate diagnosis of teaching.'

10) 'There is a great deal of confidence in the ambition of the Principal, who has raised staff and students' expectations and driven improvements on a number of fronts. Senior leaders are working effectively in planning and implementing improvements. Commitment is evident at all levels and staff morale is high. Drive and ambition is clearly focused in the school development plan and key challenges set for staff and subjects ... there is a clear sense of purpose in striving to improve.'