Setting

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T 0300 123 1231 www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Emmie Seward-Adams Principal Bodmin College Lostwithiel Road Bodmin Cornwall PL31 1DD

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Requires improvement monitoring inspection of Bodmin College

This letter sets out the findings from the monitoring inspection of your school that took place on Wednesday 26 April 2023, on behalf of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The monitoring inspection was carried out under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005 and took place because the school has received two successive judgements of requires improvement at its previous graded (section 5) inspections.

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Requires improvement monitoring inspection of Bodmin College

During the inspection, I discussed with you, other senior leaders and governors the actions that have been taken to improve the school since the most recent graded inspection. We discussed the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also met with staff and groups of pupils, visited tutorial time, observed pupils at breaktime and scrutinised curriculum and school improvement planning. I have considered all this in coming to my judgement.

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progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to

The school should take further action to:

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progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to

 Improve the standard of pupils’ behaviour through consistent application of the school’s behaviour policy.  Implement plans to provide pupils with a broad and ambitious key stage 3 curriculum.

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Main findings

Leaders have secured some improvements to the quality of education since the previous inspection. For example, senior leaders have supported subject leaders to develop their understanding of what an ambitious curriculum is and the importance of building pupils’ knowledge over time. Pupils benefit from consistently applied principles of learning that outline how leaders expect the curriculum to be taught. Leaders’ plans to develop the breadth and quality of the curriculum for pupils in key stage 3 have involved considerable discussion with stakeholders. The revised curriculum model is due to be implemented in September 2023.

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Main findings

Leaders are committed to improving the educational and pastoral provision for pupils at Bodmin College. They have been outward-facing and have encouraged staff to visit other schools to learn from examples of strong practice. Governors have received some training to support them to challenge leaders more effectively.

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Main findings

The curriculum for personal, social and health education now has greater coherence. Leaders have carefully considered the order they want pupils to learn about different topics. They have been mindful of the local and national context, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on some areas of pupils’ personal development, when making these decisions. For example, leaders have developed the curriculum content around the use of derogatory or sexualised language and about the dangers of vaping.

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Main findings

Although there have been some improvements to pupils’ attitudes to learning, this remains a concern for some staff and pupils. Leaders have taken steps to strengthen the strategies used to manage pupils’ behaviour. This should remain a priority to ensure that there is a consistent approach and that staff are well supported in this regard.

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Main findings

I am copying this letter to the chair of the governing body, the Department for Education’s regional director and the director of children’s services for Cornwall. This letter will be published on the Ofsted reports website.

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