Ofsted
Ofsted inspection
Hope Valley College was inspected by Ofsted on 24 and 25 October 2023. We were judged to be ‘Good’, in every category:
Overall effectiveness: Good
- The quality of education: Good
- Behaviour and attitudes: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Leadership and management: Good
- Sixth-form provision: Good
We are delighted that our journey since the last inspection in 2018 has resulted in this recognition that Hope Valley College is a good school. The Ofsted inspectors identified many of the areas that help to create the ‘Hope Valley difference’.
Supportive environment
Hope Valley College is proud of its supportive and nurturing environment. This is appreciated by our young people, who enjoy school. This support is equally felt by those of our students who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who “feel well supported by teachers”.
There are positive relationships between students and staff, who “feel well supported”. Hope Valley College is well led and managed, and supported by the Governing Body and Chorus Education Trust. This support has ensured that we have “capacity for further improvement”.
High expectations for achievement and behaviour
We do have high expectations of our students and our clear system for dealing with behaviour issues means that students feel that “teachers are fair and consistent”.
Our lessons are “calm and orderly”, and students behave well at break and lunch times. It was recognised that, where students need extra support to manage their behaviour, they get it.
An ambitious curriculum, delivered well
The Ofsted report recognises our ambitious and accessible curriculum for all pupils, including those with SEND. Moreover, our teachers deliver this curriculum well and, as a result, “most pupils achieve well”.
Teachers are clear about the knowledge students will learn and explain new information clearly. The needs of our students with SEND are identified well and teachers informed how to meet their needs. Strategies have been developed to help students retain information and become more confident readers.
Well planned and effective personal development
Complementing our curriculum is our well planned and effective approach to personal development. Extracurricular opportunities are available to suit all taste and include our established Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme as well as development opportunities such as by being student ambassadors and reading buddies.
Along with our “effective careers advice and guidance”, this all means that our young people are “well prepared for the next stage of their education”.
Hope Valley Pathways: consistently ‘Good’
Our post-16 specialist SEND provision is no stranger to receiving a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted. The small unit, housed in a purpose-built facility on the Hope Valley site is described by students as being like “one big family”.
The curriculum offered at Pathways is well matched to student needs, and they experience a range of activities that support them towards becoming independent. The work experience and work-based study programmes available to Pathways young people “prepares them well for their next steps.”
What next?
As the Ofsted report has identified, we are ambitious for the future. We are addressing the points in the report that will keep us on our current path towards being recognised as an outstanding school.
The full report is available to download below. Please do contact us at enquiries@hopevalley.chorustrust.org if you have any queries.
Parent View
Ofsted Parent View is a website where you can tell Ofsted what you think of your child's school, including:
- How happy your child is at the school.
- How the school manages bullying or challenging behaviour.
- If your child has special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) you will be asked how well the school support them.
The questionnaire can be completed at any time - you don’t have to wait until the school is being inspected.
You can find out more at the Parent View website.