Elstree Screen Arts Academy

Inspection of Elstree Screen Arts Academy Studio Way, Elstree, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 5NN

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Inspection dates: 28 and 29 January 2025

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The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Sixth-form provision Outstanding Previous inspection grade Good

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The principal of this school is Chris Mitchell. The school is part of Danes Educational Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer (CEO), Josephine Valentine OBE, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Paul Snell. 28 and 29 January 2025

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils receive an exceptional education. Pupils learn a specialised curriculum alongside essential qualifications in English, mathematics and science. The school’s aim to deliver high-quality technical knowledge and skills linked to their creative arts specialism is fully realised.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Parents say the school has had a transformative impact on their children’s confidence. The way in which the school has partnered with professionals in the creative industry is impressive. This enables pupils to be well prepared for life beyond the school. Almost all pupils go on to further study, training and employment. Some pupils achieve less well in the core subjects. The school has implemented a recovery curriculum to address gaps in pupils’ learning due to low attendance or missed learning prior to joining the school.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are listened to if they have any concerns. A culture has been created where difference is not just valued but celebrated. Pupils are highly supportive of their peers and are excellent ambassadors, keen to contribute to the wider life of the school. They seize every opportunity to participate in the wide range of extra-curricular clubs, trips and employer engagement opportunities on offer, for example through the school’s ‘ESA magic’ curriculum.

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better?

The principal has set out a clear strategic vision for the school. Governors and trustees share this vision and bring a range of expertise that supports the school’s emphasis on the creative, media and entertainment industry. Leaders work proactively with staff to ensure they are supported in their workload and well-being. Staff are extremely positive about this support.

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better?

Subject leaders have thought carefully about the curriculum content and the order in which it is taught. They are clear about what they want pupils to know and remember. The curriculum demonstrates high ambition for all pupils. There has been demonstrable improvement in the quality of education provided since the last inspection. Physical education is now integrated into the curriculum for all pupils, and achievement is very high in the creative arts subjects. Core GCSE outcomes have been improving year on year.

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better?

Teachers have excellent knowledge of the subjects they deliver. They use assessment well to identify any misconceptions so they do not persist. Debate and discussion are a feature of many lessons. Teachers routinely help pupils draw on previous learning when tackling new ideas. This ensures pupils, and students in the sixth form, develop a deep understanding in different subjects. There are numerous opportunities for pupils to demonstrate their technical and creative expertise. These include projects and engagement with employers and professionals in the creative industries who support the school’s practical curriculum. 28 and 29 January 2025

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Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. They achieve well because their teachers know their individual needs and apply effective strategies to support them. When necessary, they adapt tasks skilfully so all pupils produce high-quality work.

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The school understands the vital importance of reading. Pupils now benefit from a well-stocked library that is an inspiring and welcoming space. Staff regularly check how well pupils can read. When pupils need additional help to read well, they receive effective support.

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In the sixth form, students choose from a range of vocational and advanced level courses. Teachers have high expectations. Students enjoy school, attend regularly and achieve well, particularly in specialist subjects. High-quality careers guidance is provided throughout the school ensuring pupils are well informed about their next steps. Students in the sixth form receive appropriate support with university and apprenticeship applications. An increasing number of students move on to TV and film industry level 4 traineeships, which are delivered in-house.

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Pupils with previously low rates of attendance who join the school make rapid improvements. This is because of the nurturing and caring approach the school takes towards every pupil, regardless of their starting points. Attendance, for some, continues to be a challenge. Data is used carefully to identify any barrier to attendance. Suspension is used appropriately as a last resort. There have been no recent permanent exclusions. The school sets very high expectations and encourages all pupils to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

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The school’s approach to personal development, delivered through the ‘we are ESA’ curriculum, supports pupils to become safe, healthy and prepared citizens. Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe online and to stay physically and mentally healthy. The approach the school has taken to the development of character, through the promotion of the ‘7Cs’, is exemplary and has been adopted widely across other trust schools. There are a wide range of opportunities for pupils to develop their leadership skills, for example by acting as reading mentors, prefects and class representatives and by running their own extra-curricular clubs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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How can I feed back my views?

to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection. 28 and 29 January 2025

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The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 28 and 29 January 2025

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School details

School category University technical college

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form

CEO of the trust Josephine Valentine OBE

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form

Dates of previous inspection 24 and 25 September 2019, under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Information about this school

 Elstree Screen Arts Academy is a university technical college. It opened in 2013. It provides education for pupils aged 14 to 19. The curriculum is focused on the creative arts.  The school is part of Danes Educational Trust and is sponsored by Elstree Studios and the University of Hertfordshire.  The school makes use of one registered alternative provision.  The school meets the requirements of the provider access legislation, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8 to 13 with information and engagement about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. 28 and 29 January 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. During a graded inspection, we grade the school for each of our key judgements (quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; and leadership and management) and for any relevant provision judgement (early years and/or sixth form provision). Schools receiving a graded inspection from September 2024 will not be given an overall effectiveness grade.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time evaluation about the quality of a school’s education provision.  This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors met with the principal and other senior leaders. They also met with members of the local governing board and partnerships board, including the chair of each body, and spoke with representatives from the trust.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: English, science, visual arts and creative arts. For each deep dive, inspectors discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work. Inspectors also discussed the curriculum in some other subjects.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspectors scrutinised a range of documents, including leaders’ evaluation of the school and priorities for improvement.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors held meetings with staff and with pupils. Behaviour was observed both in lessons and around the school.  Inspectors considered the views of pupils and staff through discussions and Ofsted’s surveys.  Inspectors took account of responses to the Ofsted Parent View survey and free- text responses.

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Inspection team

Robert Grice, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Michael Skelly Ofsted Inspector 28 and 29 January 2025

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