King Edward VI Community College Celebrates Ofsted ‘Good’ Rating

King Edward VI Community College in Totnes, part of Education South West, has welcomed Ofsted inspectors this term as part of a Section 8 inspection.

A section 8 Ofsted inspection is an ungraded inspection that confirms whether a school has maintained its good or outstanding status and that safeguarding is still effective.  At its last full inspection the school was deemed to be Good and inspectors have now confirmed that KEVICC has continued to meet these high standards.

Inspectors noted that pupils and sixth-form students are proud to attend King Edward VI Community College and that the school has worked hard to create a community where pupils feel they belong. They also commented on how the school community has been built on a foundation of kindness and respect.

In their report, inspectors also recognised that the school has high expectations of pupil conduct and that pupils value the calm working environment during lessons.  They concluded that students achieve well in their qualifications. The school’s curriculum was singled out for praise with it being described as ambitious and well-sequenced for pupils at all key stages.  Furthermore, Ofsted stated that the broad range of subjects offered enables pupils to study qualifications aligned to their future aspirations.

• Inspectors additionally noted that: The school swiftly identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These pupils also receive well-considered additional support when appropriate. For example, pupils benefit from high-quality communication interventions.
• The school’s careers guidance offer prepares pupils for making key decisions about qualifications and future plans. Pupils are well informed about potential pathways into apprenticeships and higher education. They are encouraged to be aspirational for their future. Pupils move successfully to their next stages of education, training or employment.
• The importance of reading is promoted throughout the school. Pupils read regularly individually and as a class. They enjoy choosing the books from the ‘KEVICC Cannon’. This diverse collection of books has been chosen to promote reading for pleasure and encourage discussion.
• The school has a clear ambition for pupils to develop their own individual characters. The school commits to this with the #keepthepromise extra-curricular pledge. The school’s ‘11 by 11’ challenge encourages pupils to try something new. Clubs such as creative writing, marine biology and drama help to develop pupils’ talents and interests.

Alan Salt, Principal of King Edward VI Community College, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised the vision KEVICC and Education South West share for the school, to be a truly inclusive place that sits at the very heart of our local community. This recognition affirms the work we’ve done to create a nurturing, ambitious and respectful culture, where every student is supported to flourish.

“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to our exceptional staff team for their dedication, creativity, and professionalism. Their work every day makes KEVICC such a special place. I’d also like to thank our wonderful students, whose energy, curiosity and kindness embody everything we stand for. Finally, my gratitude goes to our families and the wider Totnes community for their continued support and belief in what we’re doing here. This is a shared achievement.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “Everyone at ESW is so proud of Mr Salt and his team for this glowing report.  It was wonderful to read that Ofsted could see that the collaborative curriculum work across the trust is minimising the impact on workload for staff and that the genuine care for staff well being means they feel invested in and are proud to work at the school. It’s inspiring to see Ofsted recognise not only the calm, inclusive and aspirational culture at KEVICC, but also the strength of the school’s leadership and community values.”