Schools Move From ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ With EdisonLearning

Wednesday, 10th December, 2008

Colchester, UK. 4th December, 2008 - Hamilton Primary School in Colchester and Samuel Ward Arts and Technology College in Haverhill have both received overall 'Outstanding' ratings in recent Ofsted inspection reports. Both schools entered into partnership with EdisonLearning with the aim of progressing from 'good' ratings in previous Ofsted assessments.

'A school that stands still and thinks it's got all the answers is in danger of slipping down the slope', said Hamilton Headteacher Clive Reynolds. 'You have to keep your practices under review in order to keep moving forward. That is why we chose to work with EdisonLearning for the cohesive support they provide, together with the challenge to push for improvement.'

'As the Ofsted report noted, we put our learners first, and that is exactly what EdisonLearning does as an organisation,' said Howard Lay, Headteacher of Samuel Ward Arts and Technology College. 'The aspects the inspectors singled out - the excellent learning environment, leadership and management, achievement and guidance, behaviour, personal development - are all areas in which Edison's input has been invaluable.'

Inspectors at Samuel Ward also commended the school on making students feel safe and valued, an outstanding curriculum, and its significant development of personalised learning. Noting that self-evaluation is comprehensive and secure, the report concluded that the school's capacity to improve is outstanding.

At Hamilton Primary, inspectors observed that the school has significant strengths in the pupils' excellent academic progress, and the development of extremely good personal qualities. The core values and succinct code of conduct were also highlighted as highly effective in contributing to the quality of education.

'It is really pleasing to see how schools that are wholeheartedly committed to improving can raise the bar, even from an already high starting point,' said Paul Lincoln, Director of Education at EdisonLearning. 'We are delighted for Hamilton and Samuel Ward. It takes a lot of dedication, but the important thing to understand is that it can be done, and any school is capable of improvement given appropriate support.'

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