Earl Mortimer College and Sixth Form Centre

2023 Inspection: Press Release

EARL Mortimer College is a school where children develop a positive mindset and are happy to attend, an Ofsted report has found.

The school has been rated Good for quality of education, behaviour of students, personal development and leadership for the third time in a row.

Inspectors found staff personalised lessons around students interests and aspirations using a range of innovative techniques to help learn and understand new knowledge.

This has led to students making good progress and improving outcomes, they found.

There was an atmosphere of friendliness and mutual respect where bullying was rare and quickly dealt with.

They praised the school’s wide range of extra-curricular opportunities which helps youngsters grow in confidence and independence.

They described personal development of pupils is a “particular strength”, praising the schools house system and Skills for Life programme.

Leaders help staff develop well planned and support their development. Their decisions are centred on what is in the best interests of the pupils.

The report reads: “Teachers use a range of approaches to help pupils to learn well and understand new knowledge.

“Pupils are happy to attend the school and are confident they will be successful in their education. They value and respect the school environment.

“Pupils enjoy socialising with each other. They respect the different choices their peers make about how to spend social time.”

Headteacher Alison Banner said: “We are pleased that Ofsted have recognised the huge strides taken by the school in recent years.

“We have continued to make significant improvement against a very challenging backdrop of a global pandemic and school closures.

“As inspectors rightly point out, this is a school that is highly ambitious and aspirational for its students. Their praise for the dedication and expertise of our staff is completely justified.

“We are pleased with how far the school has come academically in recent year with inspectors noting the good progress of students and improved outcomes.

“We are happy the school has been judged Good in all areas but are not resting on our laurels. Our ambition is to always improve and provide the very best life chances for our students.”