The headteacher of the Island Learning Centre has praised its staff after the school was graded ‘good’ by Ofsted.
Jackie Boxx has said she is delighted with the judgement following the centre’s first full inspection since it opened in September 2015.
The overall effectiveness, quality of teaching, outcomes for pupils, effectiveness of leadership and management, learning and assessment, personal development, and behaviour and welfare have all been judged good by the education watchdog.
The centre – which relocated to Newport and was revamped following an arson attack at its previous premises at Lake in summer 2015 – provides specialised alternative provision for the most vulnerable students on the Island.
Ms Boxx said:
“This is a well-deserved outcome for the hard work and student support given by the fantastic staff.
“The collaborative working with families and schools we are working hard to embed has also had a positive impact.
“We believe passionately that our young learners should have the same opportunities as their peers in mainstream education.
Article continues below this advertisement “We set the same levels of challenge and expectations and provide constant and precise support so our students reach their academic targets and make successful progression, either back to mainstream school or onward to post-16 education, training or employment.”
Chair of the centre’s management committee, Grainne Andrews, added:
“The Ofsted report is a testament to all of the hard work and commitment shown by the staff on behalf of their students.
“Our purpose has always been to strive to get the best outcomes for young people and the report confirms the centre is making that difference.”
During their inspection Ofsted found a strong sense of togetherness that unifies the staff, the pupils and their families. Leaders were said to use their accurate understanding of pupils’ needs to design and implement an effective school curriculum, and the arrangements for safeguarding were effective.
Pupils are also said to take pride in their work and in their well-kept school and made consistently good progress in most subjects.
Ms Boxx added:
“I am very appreciative of the support I have received from a number of colleagues including from the local authority, but most particularly from the management committee.
“Their vision and commitment has been a driving force for the centre’s improvement”.
Cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Paul Brading, added:
“This is really good news for the Island Learning Centre in its first full Ofsted.
“It is an excellent endorsement of all the good work that is taking place and the achievements of its pupils.
“The report reflects particularly well on the community of support and achievement that has been nurtured and developed to a high standard by the management committee, headteacher, staff and all those who support them.”
