Setting

Tania Craig Headteacher New Horizons Learning Centre Charborough Road Filton Bristol BS34 7RB

p.1

Education Act 2005 to New Horizons Learning Centre

Following my visit to your centre on Tuesday 27 November 2012, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to report on the findings of my visit. Thank you for the help you gave me and for the time you made available to discuss the actions you are taking to improve the centre since the most recent section 5 inspection.

p.1

Education Act 2005 to New Horizons Learning Centre

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the centre was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in October 2012. It was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

p.1

Evidence

During the visit, I held with meetings with senior and middle leaders, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Governing Body and two representatives of the local authority. The centre’s improvement plan was evaluated.

p.1

Context

There have been no significant changes to staffing since the centre was inspected in October.

p.1

Main findings

It is clear from discussions that senior and middle leaders and the governing body feel that the removal of the centre’s notice to improve was a first step, and that they share the ambition for it to be judged good at the next inspection. There is a Tribal 1-4 Portland Square Bristol BS2 8RR T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0117 311 5307 Direct F 0117 315 0430 Direct email : emma.thomson@ tribalgroup.com common understanding that the pace of change must continue to be as brisk as it was when the centre was working towards remedying its significant weaknesses. Momentum has not been lost. This is a good starting point.

p.1

Main findings

The centre’s improvement plan has been amended to take account of the findings of the recent inspection. The plan includes all of the areas requiring further improvement under the broader headings of achievement, teaching, behaviour and safety and leadership and management. Actions to be taken are appropriate and well-targeted. The plan does not make specific reference to the steps that are being taken to improve the effectiveness of the governing body; this would be a useful addition. The expected outcomes reflect the need for improvement, but the criteria for judging success are not measurable. This makes it harder for the governing body to hold the centre’s leaders to account and to track that the centre’s effectiveness is firmly on track towards becoming good. There is little reference in the plan to the part governors will play in checking progress.

p.2

Main findings

Senior leaders and governors are taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement identified at the recent section 5 inspection. Following the visit to the centre, HMI recommend that further action is taken to strengthen the plan for improvement by:

p.2

Main findings

 including, where appropriate, measurable criteria against which progress and success can be judged  in the section of the plan about leadership and management, including the steps that are being taken to improve the effectiveness of the governing body, and the ways that success will be measured  stating how members of the governing body will be involved in monitoring and evaluating the impact of actions that are taken.

p.2

Main findings

There is no need for another monitoring inspection to be carried out in the near future.

p.2

External support

The local authority continues to provide support to the centre and to check its progress. The form of future support and monitoring will be determined at a forthcoming task group meeting, but will reflect the centre’s growing ability to stand on its own feet and to seek support as and when it is needed.

p.2

External support

In order to promote the sharing of successful strategies to promote improvement, HMI will explore the possibility of brokering links with a similar provider that has recently been judged good, having improved from satisfactory at its previous inspection.

p.2

External support

I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body and the Director of Children’s Services for South Gloucestershire. Yours sincerely

p.2