‘The overall effectiveness of business education, including the development of students’ economic and business understanding and financial capability was judged to be outstanding.’ Ofsted, November 2009
It is very rare to get an outstanding judgement on a subject inspection. Only 10% of subject inspections nationally are graded as outstanding by Ofsted. Only 3% of business education subject inspections have been graded as outstanding.
Examination results and students’ progress and achievements, the quality of teaching and learning and the leadership and management of business education were all judged to be outstanding. The quality of the business education curriculum was good.
The inspector highlighted the very good relationships between staff and students and their very positive attitudes. He praised teachers for their excellent subject knowledge, wide variety of teaching styles and innovative use of information technology. The provision for enterprise education and work experience and the wider aspects of economic understanding were good. The school provides a progression of activities from Year 7 to the Sixth Form.
The leadership and management in business education were outstanding because of the department’s excellent track record of success and continuing high standards. There was strong self-evaluation in relation to the needs and interests of the students. The school’s partnership work with external agencies was praised as an example of good practice. As a result of the outstanding inspection two London schools have already contacted the faculty with the aim of visiting the school and finding out the secret of their outstanding success.
Congratulations to Ms Simmons, Ms Osei and Mrs Arhagba and to all students involved.