Picture caption: Principal Chris Ballard (right) and Head of School Simon Jones (left) celebrate Digitech’s positive Ofsted with students.
‘High standards’ at Bristol’s ‘warm and supportive’ Digitech Studio School enable students to ‘achieve well’, according to Ofsted inspectors, who have praised school’s inclusivity and post-16 provision in their latest inspection.
In Digitech’s first inspection under the watchdog’s new framework, it received ‘strong’ grades for inclusion and post-16 education, and was told it meets expectations in all other areas.
Digitech was also praised for its effective safeguarding by inspectors who highlighted its success creating a culture of belonging for students who often arrive at Digitech with ‘a multitude of complex barriers’ to effective schooling.
Lead inspector Rachel Hesketh wrote: “Pupils join Digitech Studio school in Year 10 or 12 to study a specialised curriculum in creative or digital arts. They enjoy learning a curriculum that covers many creative areas, from esports and digital technology to art, acting and music. Pupils gain specialist knowledge and are prepared well for future careers in the creative-based sector.
“Because pupils are only at the school for a short time, staff work quickly and skilfully to help them settle in. Pupils experience a warm and supportive environment.
“Students, wherever they complete their studies, are well cared for. Leaders work with their partner providers to oversee the high-quality education and support.”
Inspectors offered further positive assessments in a number of key areas.
On inclusion, Ofsted said: “Many pupils join with multiple and complex barriers to their learning, both pastorally and academically. Different external agencies work with them and their families prior to joining the school.
“Leaders ensure they know and understand this support. They act systematically and with urgency to break barriers down so that pupils can move into the school well. Pupils quickly feel secure, build trust and thrive.”
On post-16 provision, inspectors said: “Leaders have well-established mechanisms to assure the quality of the post-16 provision. They work closely with their partner providers to have assurance about the quality of education, wider development and safety of all students.
“Students achieve highly. Outcomes in the non-published specialised qualifications are very positive. Students are well prepared for their next steps to further education or careers in the sector. Many move on to these chosen destinations.”
On attendance and behaviour, the report said: “A substantial number of pupils join the school in Year 10 having been out of education or having low engagement in their previous settings. Leaders work quickly to understand the previous patterns of attendance and why pupils might not have attended school well. They work closely with pupils, parents and carers, and build positive relationships.
“Staff are proud of the caring culture of the school. Supportive, professional relationships with pupils build their trust and confidence.”
And on curriculum and teaching, the inspectors said: “Leaders have developed a well-organised specialised curriculum. They have clearly structured the curriculum to link well with the creative subjects pupils choose to study.
“Teachers take care to adapt the curriculum effectively when it is appropriate. Staff know the strategies to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and put appropriate adaptations in place to enable them to access the curriculum successfully.”
Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders within Digitech and its parent trust, the Cabot Learning Federation, as well as its partner organisations.
Chris Ballard, Principal at Digitech Studio School, said:
“I am incredibly proud of our students, their families and our dedicated staff following the publication of our latest Ofsted report.
“This report recognises the strength of our school community and, in particular, the commitment we share to ensuring every young person is supported to succeed. It is especially pleasing that Ofsted has highlighted the strength of our inclusive approach to education, which sits at the heart of everything we do. We firmly believe that this approach makes a real and lasting difference to the lives of our students.
“I am also delighted that the report celebrates the strength of our post-16 provision, recognising the impactful work of our partners – Boomsatsuma, the Robins Foundation and the Bristol School of Acting – in creating a fully-inclusive, vocationally-driven and industry-led educational offer. Together, we are enabling students to thrive, achieve highly and progress successfully to their next steps.
“We are proud of what we have achieved together, and we remain ambitious to continue improving further so that every student can reach their full potential.”
Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:
“We began a partnership with Boomsatsuma 15 years ago and connected with Bristol City Robins and then Bristol School of Acting in the years that followed. Those partnerships are now mature and based on high trust and acknowledgement of cutting edge expertise; I am delighted that the impact for children of these strong partnerships has been validated by Ofsted again.
“Well done to all our colleagues at Digitech for securing such strong and inclusive provision for learners over so many years now. This is such an important provision in the context of the South Gloucestershire and Bristol landscape. I know that parents will be reassured that their positive impressions of our school are mirrored in the view of the inspectorate.”
Tom Sowden, Director of Education at Boomsatsuma, said:
“At Boomsatsuma, we’re pleased to see Ofsted recognise the inclusive ethos and the strength of post-16 provision in Digitech and its partners. The report reflects the importance of creating an environment where young people from all backgrounds are well supported, challenged to achieve and able to engage with learning in meaningful ways.
“As a long-standing partner, Boomsatsuma is proud to contribute to this offer that combines specialist, industry-led learning with progression routes into further study and employment. It’s encouraging to see that approach recognised by Ofsted and, most importantly, reflected in the achievements of the students themselves.”
Sam Bridges, Course Leader at Bristol School of Acting, said:
“I am incredibly proud of everyone involved with Bristol School of Acting following the publication of this Ofsted report and the recognition of the strength of the post-16 provision.
“It is particularly rewarding to see our innovative, vocational and industry-led approach highlighted as a key strength. At Bristol School of Acting, we are committed to creating a learning environment that reflects the realities of the performing arts industry, giving students meaningful opportunities to develop their craft, build professional skills and prepare confidently for their future careers.
“The report recognises the impact of a curriculum that is both ambitious and inclusive, enabling young people to thrive in a creative setting while achieving highly and progressing successfully into higher education, training and employment within the arts sector. Working with the CLF helps us to innovate and provide exceptional opportunities for our students.
“This recognition is a testament to the talent, dedication and hard work of our students, staff and wider community, and we remain ambitious to continue developing our provision so that every student can realise their full potential.”
And Ben Mackenize, Further Education Manager at The Robins Foundation, said:
“The Robins Foundation are pleased to see the report’s recognition of an inclusive Post-16 environment where students feel safe and are supported to thrive. We are proud that the report reflects students being supported to achieve highly.
“The report also recognises the strength of our partnership, which continues to support us in providing opportunity to young people and we are proud to continue working closely with Digitech.”
