Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk 30 October 2012

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Mr D Hanson Principal Walworth Academy Shorncliffe Road London SE1 5UJ

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alternative provision

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff and students, during my visit on 18 and 23 October 2012 to look at the school’s use of alternative provision.

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alternative provision

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

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alternative provision

This letter briefly summarises our discussion at the end of the visit.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 The provision has been given a high priority within the academy and is well planned to accommodate the diverse range of students’ needs. Placements are based on students’ needs with additional provision commissioned when required. The cohesive offer of guaranteed providers from the local authority and the strong partnerships within the academy trust enables most students to access provision that is fit for purpose and relevant to their needs especially those who are potentially at risk of not attending school.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 Students are provided with a balanced curriculum that provides access to extra-curricular activities. Excellent arrangements have been made for them to gain appropriate English and mathematics qualifications.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 The providers are working effectively to offer a good environment for students to develop their personal, social and academic skills and to feel supported in their work. The provision for students with complex emotional needs has enabled them to develop high levels of confidence and improve their academic attainment.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 Highly effective communication between providers and the academy means that concerns regarding students’ attendance, behaviour or attitude to learning are identified and addressed quickly.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 Most students are happy with their placement and they feel strongly that they have been guided and supported well. They say that above all it has given them opportunities for their views to be heard and to undertake work that is ‘not just theory’.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 incorporating reports from off-site providers into regular school reports for students, parents and carers

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 identifying targets for students at the start of their placements which include the achievement of employability and social skills

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 thoroughly evaluating the suitability of all placements to assess the relevance and appropriateness to students’ experiences and outcomes

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 ensuring that alternative provision placements are registered with the Department for Education if required.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

My concerns about the registration status of one of the providers you are using have been reported to the Department for Education.

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