Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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8 February 2010 Mrs C Byamukama Headteacher St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls Oakthorpe Road Palmers Green London N13 5TY

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and achievement: the power of partnership

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff and pupils, during my visit on 26 January 2010 to look at your partnership with business.

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and achievement: the power of partnership

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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and achievement: the power of partnership

The evidence used to inform the judgements included scrutiny of documentation, observations, and discussions with you, other staff, students and business and community partners.

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Features of effective practice

 The school has a crystal clear vision of how business partnerships and enterprise can have a positive impact on students’ learning and life chances.  The school is using its business and enterprise specialism with real flair to improve all aspects of the school’s work, especially in encouraging students to be forward looking and broaden their horizons.  The business and enterprise development plan is a model of clarity, outlining appropriate activities and measurable targets for success. The plan encapsulates the school’s determination to enhance the impact of business and enterprise even further through innovative strategies, such as working with local young people who are not in education, employment or training to improve their prospects.  The school has been very successful in using its business and enterprise links to improve the quality of teaching and develop students’ learning skills. As a consequence, students in the main school and the sixth form

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Features of effective practice

achieve high standards from their broadly average starting points. In addition, students’ levels of confidence, self-belief and aspirations have risen.  Local business people visit the school frequently and lead activities that give students a sharp insight into the world of work and careers in business.  Students have very good opportunities for work-related learning. All Year 10 students undertake work experience. The wide range of activities makes a valuable contribution to students’ future economic well-being.  Students are eager to take on responsibility. They say how much they gain from being encouraged to lead business and enterprise projects.  Enterprise activities promote community cohesion very effectively. Students’ extensive work with Age Concern to teach senior citizens information and communication technology (ICT) skills is a shining example.  Students praise the care, guidance and support they receive. They know

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Features of effective practice

their targets and what they need to do to achieve them. Advice on options and careers is thorough and encourages students to aim high.  The effective use of ICT as a tool for learning has been central to the development of enterprise education. Good access to computers is helping students to raise the standard of their work. Every student gained an A* or A grade in the latest ICT GCSE examination.  Business and enterprise activities are led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of managers who are fully supported by an equally knowledgeable and committed governing body.  High-quality professional development for all staff underpins the enthusiasm with which subject teams play their part in the success of the school’s specialism and business links.

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Areas for development, which we discussed, include:

 implementing plans to support young people in the local community who are not in education, employment or training as a further development of the school’s business and enterprise activities.

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Areas for development, which we discussed, include:

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop partnerships in support of school improvement.

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Areas for development, which we discussed, include:

As I explained previously, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on the Ofsted website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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