‘Vibrant and inclusive’ City Academy Bristol is a school where students ‘make good progress’ thanks to a ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’, according to Ofsted inspectors.

A team from the education watchdog spent two days assessing the school, during which time they met leaders from the school and its parent trust, spoke with parents and pupils, and carried out a deep dive into a number of subject areas.

As per Ofsted’s new inspection framework, the visit did resulted in a confirmation of the school’s strong standards, rather than a formal re-grading – however, inspectors heaped praise upon the school and its leadership, highlighting its ‘strong’ teaching, the good progress made by students with special educational needs, and the high standards of student behaviour.

In her report, lead inspector Kelly Olive said: “Pupils enjoy attending this vibrant and inclusive school. They are proud to be part of a community where cultural diversity is celebrated.

“The school has high expectations of the pupils that attend City Academy. Typically, pupils live up to these by working hard, behaving and achieving well.”

On teaching and curriculum, the report said: “Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They deliver the content of the shared curriculum well.

“Teachers provide clear explanations and model useful examples for pupils. In relevant subjects, pupils engage in thoughtful debate about topical issues.”

On careers education and student progress, Ofsted said: “Pupils experience a well-considered careers programme from when they join in Year 7.

“They are supported in considering their plans for the future. For example, the school hosts visitors from colleges, universities and local employers.”

On pupil behaviour, the report said: “Pupils learn in a safe and tolerant environment. The school is a calm and orderly place.

“Pupils make use of opportunities to be active at social times. Many enjoy the communal experience of eating a hot meal together.

“Most pupils are consistently polite and respectful to each other and to adults. In lessons, lowlevel disruption can occur, but this is managed quickly and effectively by staff. Poor behaviour is not allowed to persist.”

On extracurricular activities, the report said: “Many pupils volunteer to be a member of the school council. Pupils with SEND are well represented and have a strong voice in the school.

“Governors consider pupils’ views when making decisions about the school. Pupils can access a range of extra-curricular activities such as sports clubs, drama and chess club.”

And on SEND provision, the report said: “The school has a high proportion of pupils with SEND. Systems for the identification of pupils’ needs are clear and work effectively.

“Staff are provided with helpful information as well as strategies that will support pupils in the classroom. Consequently, pupils with SEND have their needs met well.”

Ofsted also highlighted City Academy’s ‘effective’ safeguarding, the ‘warm, mutually respectful relationships between staff and pupils’, and the ‘valued’ staff development opportunities alongside colleagues from sister schools within the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF).

Leaders from within City Academy and the CLF welcomed Ofsted’s findings.

Ben Tucker, Principal at City Academy, said:

“I am delighted that Ofsted has confirmed that we remain a ‘Good’ school in all areas. I am extremely grateful for all the hard work of our staff and students, and the continued support that we receive from our families and community.”

Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“I am delighted that inspectors recognised the joyful environment for children at City Academy.

“The team works tirelessly and with great passion to ensure that anyone in our community can be assured of a strong experience – it is a highly successful example of how inclusive provision and high standards can and should be delivered in our city. I am delighted for the community and for the team at the school.”

An outstanding athlete from Hanham Woods Academy is celebrating after winning two medals at the Southwest Indoor Track & Field Athletics Championships held at the National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff.

Year 11 student Kezia Tarzey delivered an incredible performance throughout the day, securing a silver medal in the 60 metres hurdles and a bronze medal in the 60 metres sprint, setting a personal best in the process.

Her dedication, talent, and hard work shone through in every race, making her a standout competitor at the event.

Kezia said: “I am proud of my performance, and I have gained important learning to continue to develop and improve for future success”

Steve O’Callaghan, Principal of Hanham Woods Academy, said: “We are absolutely delighted with Kezia’s achievements at the South West Athletics Championships.

“Her commitment to training and her drive to succeed are an inspiration to her peers and a credit to our academy.”

Pupils at Priorswood Primary School received a hands-on experience in bike safety and maintenance, thanks to a visit from local company On Your Bike.

As part of their commitment to promoting safe and sustainable travel, On Your Bike offered all pupils a free 40-point bike check and minor repairs, ensuring their bikes were road-ready.

Additionally, the team ran engaging workshops for Year 5 and 6 pupils, covering essential topics such as road safety, basic bike maintenance, and how to repair a puncture.

Carly Ellis, Head of School at Priorswood Primary, said: “We are thrilled to partner with On Your Bike for such an impactful event.

“These workshops have not only taught our pupils practical skills but also instilled a sense of confidence and independence when it comes to cycling.

“It’s been wonderful to see them so enthusiastic and engaged.”

The day highlighted the importance of cycling as a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transportation, equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe on the roads.

An ‘inclusive’ environment, ‘ambitious curriculum’ and a ‘rich learning experience’ have helped Bristol’s John Cabot Academy retain its rating of ‘Good’ from Ofsted inspectors.

A team from the education watchdog spent two days assessing the academy, during which time inspectors met with senior leaders, teachers and students, and carried out a deep dive into a number of subject areas.

At the conclusion of the process, the Ofsted team heralded John Cabot as ‘a welcoming school’ where ‘students feel a strong sense of belonging’.

They rated the school as ‘Good’ for the quality of its education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership.

CLF Post 16, which shares the school site and delivers A-levels and vocational training, was rated as ‘Outstanding’.

In her report, lead inspector Frances Bywater said: “Pupils in John Cabot Academy enjoy their time at school. They receive a high quality education. They feel motivated to succeed. Teachers encourage and support them to do this effectively.

“The school has high expectations of pupils. Lessons are calm and focused. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm.”

On teaching and attainment, the report said: “John Cabot has created an ambitious curriculum. It provides pupils with a rich learning experience.

“The school focuses on the needs of disadvantaged pupils. Staff ensure that they remove barriers to learning. As a result, pupils achieve very well in GCSE examinations.”

On SEND provision, the report said: “The school is committed to ensuring that pupils are successful, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils.

“Pupils with SEND have their needs accurately identified. For the most part, staff make appropriate adaptations to meet these needs. As a result, these pupils achieve well.”

On student care and behaviour, Ofsted said: “The pastoral care provided by the school is a strength. The school makes every effort to promote high attendance and challenge absence. As a result, pupils’ attendance at school is high.

“The school has high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and conduct. Staff apply these expectations consistently and fairly. Consequently, pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.”

In addition, the report praised John Cabot’s ‘effective’ safeguarding, ‘comprehensive’ careers programme, and the ‘wide range’ of extra-curricular enrichment activities on offer.

Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders at the school, and within its parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation.

 Kate Willis, Principal at John Cabot Academy, said:

“I am delighted by the Ofsted report which is a wonderful description of our ‘welcoming’ school to which ‘pupils feel a strong sense of belonging’.

“We talk a lot about the vision for JCA: Empowering ourselves and our community by nurturing students as individuals, inspiring them through learning and raising our community.

“Consequently, I am thrilled that Ofsted have seen much of our vision realised. It means our students are thriving academically; flourishing and growing as young people.”

 Sally Apps, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“John Cabot Academy has been an important part of the educational landscape in Kingswood and beyond for some time; it is so pleasing to see the school’s significant strengths recognised in this way.

“Congratulations to the whole school community – the parents, teachers, leaders and particularly the children themselves – on the collaborative spirit and genuine care that goes into being such a special and successful school.”

 Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“Both the outcomes achieved by students and the judgement of Ofsted point to John Cabot being an excellent place for children to attend school.

“I am delighted for the community, who have seen their local school successfully transition from having been a City Technology College in the 1990s and early 2000s to a highly successful local comprehensive school, serving the needs of all its learners. Congratulations to our brilliant team for this recognition of their excellent work.”

‘High quality’ teaching, an ‘inclusive’ environment and a ‘comprehensive careers programme’ which help students to thrive at CLF Post 16 have earned the Bristol education centre a rating of ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted inspectors.

A team from the education watchdog spent two days assessing CLF Post 16 and neighbouring John Cabot Academy, during which time inspectors met with senior leaders, teachers and students, and carried out a deep dive into a number of subject areas.

At the conclusion of the process, the Ofsted team heralded CLF Post 16 as ‘a welcoming school’ where students feel ‘a strong sense of belonging’ and are supported to succeed.

In her report, lead inspector Frances Bywater said: “The CLF Post-16 ethos of ‘Care, Believe, Achieve’ is fully realised. Students in the post-16 provision come from a wide range of schools. Across the whole school, pupils feel a strong sense of belonging.

“Students in Post 16 enjoy their time at school. They receive a high quality education. They feel motivated to succeed. Teachers encourage and support them to do this effectively.

“The school has high expectations of pupils. Lessons are calm and focused. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm.”

On CLF Post 16’s curriculum and teaching, the report said: “Students in the post-16 provision have a broad and varied range of subjects available to them. The qualifications have been carefully selected to ensure that they are fully inclusive.

“Students, including those who have previously had negative educational experiences, thrive here. This is a result of the thoughtful academic and pastoral support.”

On inclusivity and enrichment, the report said: “Post 16 students are particularly articulate in talking about equality and diversity. Pupils of all ages value and respect people with different backgrounds and beliefs.

“They appreciate the many extra-curricular opportunities that the school provides. These include a wide range of enrichment planned within the curriculum. In the post-16 provision, students create and lead their own clubs.”

And on careers provision, Ofsted said: “A comprehensive careers programme provides pupils and post-16 students with helpful guidance. They learn about university and vocational routes.

“The school has developed strong partnerships with other providers. The destinations pupils and students go on to are a real strength of the school.”

The report also said teachers at Post 16 are ‘aspirational for all pupils’, while praising its ‘effective’ safeguarding systems and ‘strong’ pastoral support.

Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders at CLF Post 16, as well as within its parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation.

Kath Cooper, Principal at CLF Post 16, said:  

“I am absolutely thrilled with the ‘Outstanding’ outcome for the CLF Post 16. It is a recognition of the exceptional work of the Post 16 staff over time, every day, embedding a rich, quality and inclusive provision.

“The students in our care contribute to building a strong community ethos of hard work and conscientious attitudes, which drives achievement and establishes aspirational destinations and careers.

“This is an excellent provision and it is wonderful to be judged and valued for the exceptional Post 16 centre we are: successful, unique and bespoke. We aspire to be the number one choice of Post 16 study centre for the students we serve in our community and trust.”

Sally Apps, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:  

“It is enormously pleasing to know that the Cabot Learning Federation Post 16 provision has been recognised for the outstanding level of care and ambition that is demonstrated every day in the centre.

“The curriculum offer, paired with the excellent pastoral care, has opened doors to students and enabled them to achieve their potential – sometimes against considerable adversity. We are all very proud of what the students, parents, staff and leaders have achieved to date.”

Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“Colleagues involved in post-16 provision in our sector will know how challenging it is to achieve an outstanding inspection outcome; the bar is appropriately high, and I am delighted that the excellence of CLF Post 16 has been recognised by the inspectorate.

“The school has improved every year since its inception in 2010 and it now combines the maturity of a school that has been strong for some time and the modernism of a school that offers a curriculum and pastoral support that is of our time. Well done to the team.”

Bristol’s John Cabot Academy has been ranked fifth among the best-performing state secondary schools in the city, according to the latest performance data released by the Department for Education.

The newly published figures for the 2023/24 academic year highlight the exceptional achievements of students and staff at John Cabot Academy, showcasing their dedication and hard work.

Kate Willis, Principal of John Cabot Academy, said: “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and commitment of our students, teachers, and support staff.

“At John Cabot Academy, we strive to nurture every student’s potential, and this result reflects our unwavering focus on high standards and inclusive education.”