Setting

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

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Mr R Lobatto Headteacher Barnhill Community High School Yeading Lane Hayes UB4 9LE

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alternative provision

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff and students, during my visit on 16 and 17 September 2013 to look at the school’s use of alternative provision. During the visit I met with the assistant headteacher who co-ordinates the alternative provision, the deputy headteacher and with groups of Year 10 and 11 students. I examined a range of documents including achievement and destination data. I also visited the following providers that your students attend: Northwood School and Skidz Hillingdon.

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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 vast majority of students enjoy their placement and like the opportunities that the placement provides in developing their vocational skills.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 Students receive an extremely broad and well-balanced curriculum. All students who attend vocational courses were successful in securing their option subjects. Programmes of study are personalised to students’ needs and interests.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 There are good opportunities for students to achieve appropriate qualifications in English and mathematics. There are well-thought through strategies to ensure students can catch up on lessons they miss these subjects. Most students achieve a relevant qualification in English and mathematics.

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 Alternative provision providers feel well supported by the school and say they have clear lines of communication if they have issues or concerns. The accommodation seen during the inspection is of a high quality.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 ensuring that all reports about students from providers are regular and include relevant useful information on students’ progress in all areas of their chosen course, including achievement in key or employability skills. In addition to this, the school should provide detailed information of students’ attainment and specific needs to the providers

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 monitoring the quality of the provision of all providers including their health and safety procedures. In addition to this, fully assess the impact of all alternative provision by establishing an appropriate way to measure its success

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 ensure that the Governing Body is aware of each provider’s effectiveness

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 providing a clear and appropriate progression pathway for Year 11 students undertaking the hairdressing placement.

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