Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is a non-ministerial department of the UK government, reporting to Parliament. Ofsted is responsible for inspecting a range of educational institutions, including state schools and some independent schools, it inspects childcare and fostering agencies and initial teacher training, regulates a range of early years and children’s social care services. The Chief Inspector is appointed by an Order-in-Council and thus becomes an office holder under the Crown. Amanda Spielman has been HMCI since 2017. In 1833, Parliament agreed an annual grant to the National Society for Promoting Religious Education and the British and Foreign School Society, which provided Church of England and non-denominational elementary schools for poor children. To monitor the effectiveness of the grant, two inspectors of schools were appointed in 1837, Seymour Tremenheere and the Rev. John Allen. Dr. James Kay-Shuttleworth secretary of the Privy Council education committee, ensured that the inspectors were appointed by Order-in-Council to guard their independence.
The grant and inspection system was extended in 1847 to Roman Catholic elementary schools established by the Catholic Poor School Committee. Inspectors were organised on denominational lines, with the churches having a say in the choice of inspectors, until 1876, when inspectors were re-organised by area. After the Education Act 1902, inspections were expanded to state-funded secondary schools along similar lines. Over time, more inspections were carried out by inspectors based in local education authorities, with HMI focussing on reporting to the Secretary of State on education conditions across the country; the government of John Major, concerned about variable local inspection regimes, decided to introduce a national scheme of inspections though a reconstituted HMI, which became known as the Office for Standards in Education. Under the Education Act 1992, HMI would supervise the inspection of each state-funded school in the country, would publish its reports for the benefit of schools and government instead of reporting to the Secretary of State.
In September 2001, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England became responsible for registration and inspection of day care and childminding in England, the position was renamed Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills. This was done by 150 local authorities, based on their implementation by 1992 of the Daycare Standards provisions of the 1989 Children Act. Schedule 11 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 changed the way in which Ofsted works without changing the provision. Since 2006 the structure of Ofsted has derived elements from business models, with a Chair, an executive board, regional officers, a formal annual report to Parliament in the light of concerns about schools, local authority children's services. In April 2007 the former Office for Standards in Education merged with the Adult Learning Inspectorate to provide an inspection service that includes all post-16 government funded education. At the same time it took on responsibility for the registration and inspection of social care services for children, the welfare inspection of independent and maintained boarding schools from the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
The services Ofsted inspects or regulates now include: local services, child day care, children's centres, children's social care, CAFCASS, state schools, independent schools and teacher training providers and learning and skills providers in England. It monitors the work of the Independent Schools Inspectorate. HMI are empowered and required to provide independent advice to the United Kingdom government and parliament on matters of policy and to publish an annual report to parliament on the quality of educational provision in England. Ofsted distributes its functions amongst its offices in London, Nottingham, Cambridge and Bristol. Ofsted only covers England; the current Chief Inspector is Amanda Spielman, appointed in January 2017 replacing Sir Michael Wilshaw. Ofsted directly employs Her Majesty's Inspectors; as of July 2009 there were 443 HMIs, of whom 82 were engaged in management, 245 in the inspection of schools, the rest in inspection of other areas for which Ofsted in responsible. All HMIs inspecting schools have teaching experience.
Most school inspections were carried out by Additional Inspectors employed by external companies known as Regional Inspection Service Providers. As of July 2009 there were 1,948 AIs. Although Ofsted claims that most of these have teaching experience, in 2012 it was forced to admit that it had done no quality control checks on these inspectors, that many of them – including lead inspectors – were not qualified teachers and many had no experience of working with children. A further scandal surrounded headteachers dismissed following poor OFSTED reports being hired as inspectors. In 2015, 40% of additional inspectors who wanted to continue working for OFSTED were not re-hired after a contractual change. Although OFSTED insisted that this was part of a quality control process and'should not be seen as an admi
Academy (English school)
Academy schools are state-funded schools in England which are directly funded by the Department for Education and independent of local authority control. The terms of the arrangements are set out in individual Academy Funding Agreements. Most academies are secondary schools; however more than 25% of primary schools, as well as some of the remaining first and secondary schools, are academies. Academies are self-governing non-profit charitable trusts and may receive additional support from personal or corporate sponsors, either financially or in kind, they do not have to follow the National Curriculum, but do have to ensure that their curriculum is broad and balanced, that it includes the core subjects of mathematics and English. They are subject to inspection by Ofsted; the following are all types of academy: Sponsored academy: A maintained school, transformed to academy status as part of a government intervention strategy. They are run by a Government-approved sponsor, they are sometimes referred to as traditional academies.
Converter academy: A maintained school that has voluntarily converted to academy status. It is not necessary for a converter academy to have a sponsor. Free school: Free schools are new academies established since 2011 via the Free School Programme. From May 2015, usage of the term was extended to new academies set up via a Local Authority competition; the majority of free schools are similar in shape to other types of academy. However, the following are distinctive sub-types of free school:Studio school: A small free school with around 300 pupils, using project-based learning University Technical College: A free school for the 14-18 age group, specialising in practical, employment focused subjects, sponsored by a university, employer or further education college. Faith academy:An academy with an official faith designation. Co-operative academy: An academy that uses an alternative co-operative academy agreement. An academy trust that operates more than one academy is known as an Academy Chain, although sometimes the terms Academy Group or Academy Federation are used instead.
An Academy Chain is a group of schools working together under a shared academy structure, either an Umbrella Trust or a Multi-Academy Trust. An academy is governed by the Academy Agreement it makes with the Department for Education, at that point it severs connections with the local education authority; the current advisory text is the Academy and free school: master funding agreement dated March 2018. The governors of the academy are obliged to publish an annual report and accounts, that are open to scrutiny. All academies are expected to follow a broad and balanced curriculum but many have a particular focus on, or formal specialism in, one or more areas such as science. Although academies are required to follow the National Curriculum in the core subjects of maths and science, they are otherwise free to innovate. Like other state-funded schools, academies are required to adhere to the National Admissions Code, although newly established academies with a faith designation are subject to the 50% Rule requiring them to allocate at least half of their places without reference to faith.
In terms of their governance, academies are established as companies limited by guarantee with a Board of Directors that acts as a Trust. The Academy Trust has exempt charity status, regulated by the Department for Education; the trustees are but not financially, accountable for the operation of the academy. The Trust serves as the legal entity; the trustees oversee the running of the school, sometimes delegating responsibility to a local governing body which they appoint. The day-to-day management of the school is, as in most schools, conducted by the Head Teacher and their senior management team. In Sponsored Academies, the sponsor is able to influence the process of establishing the school, including its curriculum, ethos and building; the sponsor has the power to appoint governors to the academy's governing body. The Labour Government under Tony Blair established academies through the Learning and Skills Act 2000, which amended the section of the Education Act 1996 relating to City Technology Colleges.
They were first announced in a speech by David Blunkett Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in 2000. He said that their aim was "to improve pupil performance and break the cycle of low expectations." As of 2018 many academies are running deficits. The chief architect of the policy was Andrew Adonis in his capacity as education advisor to the Prime Minister in the late 1990s. Academies were known as City Academies for the first few years, but the term was changed to Academies by an amendment in the Education Act 2002; the term Sponsored Academies was applied retrospectively to this type of academy, to distinguish it from other types of academy that were enabled later. Sponsored Academies needed a private sponsor who could be an individual, organisations such as the United Learning Trust, mission-driven businesses such as The Co-operative Group or outsourcing for-profit businesses such as Amey plc); these sponsors were expected to bring "the best o
Holme Pierrepont
Holme Pierrepont is a hamlet and civil parish located 5 miles south of the city of Nottingham in Nottinghamshire, England. It is in the Gamston ward of the Rushcliffe local authority in the East Midlands region; the population of the civil parish as at the 2011 Census was 528. The word "Holme" comes from the Old English and Old Norse words for a small island or low-lying land by a river. "Pierrepont" is French for "Stone Bridge", is the surname of an Anglo-Norman family that once held the manor. The National Water Sports Centre offers some of the most comprehensive water sports facilities in the world, it was purpose-built to facilitate the training of elite athletes and the holding of National and International competitions in the disciplines of rowing and both white water and placid water kayaking/canoeing, although it is used to run many other activities. The Centre is set in 270 acres of country park and boasts a 2000 m Regatta Lake, White Water Slalom Course and Water Skiing Lagoon; the National Water Sports Centre is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and leased to Sport England.
As part of the re-profiling of National Centres, Sport England did not continue to fund the National Water Sports Centre after its management contract ended in 2009. Holme Pierrepont Hall is a Grade; the hall was built by Sir William Pierrepont around 1500, inhabited by subsequent generations of the Pierrepont family. There is evidence that Holme Pierrepont was settled by farming communities at least as long ago as the Neolithic era. Archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman period have been found in the parish; the main historic features of Holme Pierrepont are the Church of St Edmund and Holme Pierrepont Hall. 1086 – the place comprised a mill, 80 acres of meadow, was worth £6. 1257 – Sir Henry Pierrepont marries Annora de Manvers, heir to Holme, the name Pierrepont becomes attached to the hamlet 1628 – Sir Robert Pierrepont created Earl of Kingston-upon-Hull by King Charles I 1715 – Evelyn Pierrepont created Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull by King George I 1940 – Holme Pierrepoint Estate broken up and sold.
Nearby places include: Bassingfield Gamston Adbolton Radcliffe on Trent West Bridgford Colwick Nottingham Holme Pierrepont has only one bus service which terminates at the Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre which only runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays, is run by Nottingham City Transport. Holme Pierrepont & Gamston Parish Council website History of Holme Pierrepont
Belvoir High School
Belvoir High School, now known as The Priory Belvoir Academy, is a mixed secondary school located in Bottesford in the English county of Leicestershire. The school also operated Melton Vale Post 16 Centre in Melton Mowbray. A middle school, Belvoir High School changed its intake in 2008 and became a secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16, it was converted as part of the Belvoir and Melton Academy Trust. In 2017, the Belvoir and Melton Academy Trust was discontinued and the Belvoir High School became part of The Priory Federation of Academies Trust; as of 2018, the school's most recent Ofsted inspection was in 2015, the judgement was Good. Melton Vale Post 16 Centre is a sixth form centre located in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. From 2012 to 2017 it was part of the Melton Academy Trust. In 2017 it became part of the Nova Academy Trust; as of 2018, the centre's most recent Ofsted inspection was in 2015, the judgement was Outstanding. Robert Harris, novelist Sean Lamont, rugby player Belvoir High School official website Melton Vale Post 16 Centre official website Bottesford Living History: Schools The Priory Federation of Academies Trust
Sir John Moore Church of England Primary School
Sir John Moore Church of England Primary School known as Appleby Grammar School, is a junior school situated in the village of Appleby Magna, in Leicestershire, England. The school was constructed between 1693 and 1697, based on an original design by Sir Christopher Wren and Sir William Wilson; the school was established and financed by Sir John Moore, the younger son of the local squire who became Lord Mayor and Alderman of London. The school occupies an elevated position to the south of the village and sits in its own walled, landscaped grounds totaling just over 3.5 acres. The main school building is Grade I listed; the primary school was rated "outstanding" in its last Ofsted inspection. Sir John Moore was second son of Charles Moore Esq. owner of Appleby Parva Manor. His elder brother called Charles, was expected to inherit the family estates. John went to London to make a living as a merchant, he made his fortune in the City of London, was knighted, became Lord Mayor of London in 1681 and an Alderman of London.
Moore had no children and, wishing to use his wealth to benefit his home village, financed the building of a school next to his father's estate. Moore commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to prepare the initial drawings. After Wren's first design, the work was taken on by local architect Sir William Wilson who both studied under Wren at Oxford University and worked for his Company. Construction started in 1693 and it opened in 1697. For most of its existence the school was known as "Appleby Grammar School" and operated as a free school for the boys of the village, as well as a boys' boarding school; the name was changed to "Sir John Moore Church Of England School" some time in the last century. It was in the last century that the school started to accept girls. During the Second World War, the school was used to house Belgian evacuees. During the Second World War, it was said locally that the flames of Coventry, after it was bombed, could be seen from the roof of the school. In the mid-1990s, following rising maintenance costs, the school was earmarked for closure.
A new school building was planned in a neighbouring field and the building was to be surrendered to the National Trust. After much protest from the villagers the school remained open, it received a £6,000,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to renovate the whole building. The stables were converted into a computer suite, the old dormitories were turned into a heritage centre and several old offices and storage rooms were converted into rented offices and apartments; the building still operates with 125 students from the village. It was described as "outstanding" in its June 2009 Ofsted inspection. Sir John Moore School now hosts many corporate events and weddings, has a midsummer music festival complete with firework display; the old school basements have been converted into a pub/bar called The Cellar. William Huskisson, well known as being the first man to die in a railway accident when he was knocked down by Stephenson's Rocket at the opening of the Liverpool–Manchester railway, he was a Member of Parliament in Liverpool at the time.
Official website
Ashby School
Ashby School known as Ashby Grammar School, is a co-educational day and boys' boarding upper school with academy status in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, England. The school is situated in the centre of Ashby on two sites. Ashby Grammar School, the original boys' school, was founded in 1567 by Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon; the girls' grammar school opened in 1901. They became comprehensive. Ashby School became an Academy on 1 October 2012. T. A. Woodcock OBE Charles Padel John Brinsley the elder Dr Ron Alison David Edward Herbert Cedric Ingleton Vivian Keller Garnet Eddie Green Geoff Staniforth Sir Mike Tomlinson CBE, Chief Inspector of Schools from 2000-2 Ashby School is based on three main sites, based on adjacent roads; the school has spent considerable funds on the construction of a new science block, new rooms in the design department, more a new block built to accommodate music and media studies. In 2007, a modern block was built for English. Construction of the new sixth form centre has been completed, there is now a social area, a canteen area and an area for relaxing and talking to friends, referred to as the "airport lounge".
The state-of-the-art centre includes a Sixth-Form dining area. The school has eight houses: Ashe, Crewe, Ferrers, Gylby and Loudoun; each house chooses a charity for the year. The school adheres to the Ofsted national school grading system and received good as an average for all areas assessed; the highest rating areas were responsibility of governors, workplace skill development and student well-being where a score of outstanding was attained.'Da Vinci' is the school's current gifted and talented system. The'Tip Tops' is a group of primary pupils in years 5 and 6 from local primary schools in the Ashby area, they attend after-school sessions in which they are tutored in advanced mathematics, film studies, science and philosophy by gifted and talented students from Ashby School. The Ashby School's gifted and talented programme was rated three stars by the National Association for Gifted Children in 2010. In November 2011 a Russian cosmonaut involved in the planning of the manned mission to Mars visited the school and gave a lecture to the'G&T'.
In 2016 Ashby School created controversy when it proposed to auction the medals, including a Victoria Cross, won by Lt Col. Philip Bent, donated to the school "to inspire future pupils"; the VC is loaned to the Royal Leicestershire Regimental Museum. The proceeds from the sale were to be put "towards the building of... proposed new pavilion", in order to "receive revenue from lettings". In May 2016 the school was unable to prove ownership of the medals. In 2018, a pavilion is set to be built following a successful funding bid to the Healthy Schools initiative. Former pupils are known as Old Ashbeians. Andrew Betts Henry Dartnall, popular musician Dorian West The Young Knives Nathan Buck Tom Hopper Sir Geoffrey Arthur, Master of Pembroke College, Oxford, 1975–84 John Bainbridge Philip Bent, VC Prof John Betteridge, Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at UCL Medical School, 1994-2010 Sir John Bonser, barrister William Bradshaw, puritan Jack English, photographer Levi Fox, historian Anthony Gilby, clergyman Alexander Henry Green, geologist Leslie Hale, Baron Hale, Labour MP for Oldham from 1945 to 1950 and Oldham West from 1950 to 1968 Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich Thomas Hemsley CBE, baritone Dr Barry Heywood, Director from 1994 to 1997 of the British Antarctic Survey Sir Joseph Hood, 1st Baronet, Conservative MP from 1918-24 for Wimbledon Prof Ernst Huehns, Professor of Haematology at UCL Medical School, 1975-1990 Sir James Hunt, judge Reginald Jacques CBE, conductor David Nish, capped five times for England David Taylor, Labour MP from 1997-2009 for North West Leicestershire Bernard Vann, VC David Wilson CBE, chairman of Wilson Bowden, 1987-2007 John Lane, past president of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and the Glasgow Institute of Architects Averil Burgess OBE, Chairman from 1993-2000 of the Independent Schools Inspectorate, Headmistress from 1975-1993 of South Hampstead High School Nora David, Baroness David Clare Hollingworth, journalist Angela Piper, plays Jennifer Aldridge in The Archers Prof Diane Reay, Professor of Education since 2005 at the University of Cambridge Official site Leics CC page
