Ellowes Hall Sports College

Overview

Ellowes Hall Sports College has undergone a "significant improvement" and a "positive culture shift" since its previous inspection. The report describes a school where pupils feel "happy and safe," with raised expectations for behaviour and academic achievement that most students are meeting well.

Strengths

• Leaders have ensured "every subject has a well-designed curriculum" with a structure that helps pupils "build their knowledge within lessons and over time."
• The consistent use of the ‘Ellowes Eight’ principles of learning, combined with teachers’ "strong subject knowledge," helps pupils make good progress.
• Sixth-form students benefit from the ‘Invictus sixth form’, accessing "good-quality provision" and personalised support for university or apprenticeship applications.
• Reading is a priority, with a strategy that is "starting to deepen pupils’ reading skills and interest in books" through targeted interventions.
• Staff receive "regular, high-quality training" on safeguarding, and leaders act promptly to support pupils at risk of harm.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure staff check that pupils have "fully secured their learning" before moving on, as some pupils, including those with SEND, are developing "gaps in their learning."
• Leaders need to address the behaviour of a few pupils who have not "bought into the new culture of respect," ensuring these attitudes do not make other pupils feel "less valued."

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," with appropriate recruitment checks and clear processes for reporting concerns.