Education, News

Nottingham sixth form ‘couldn’t be more proud’ after Ofsted says it’s ‘outstanding’

Staff at a Nottingham sixth form say its inclusive curriculum and personal support for students are among the core reasons why Ofsted graded it ‘outstanding’ just over two years after it opened.

Ofsted inspectors have rated Djanogly City Academy’s Sixth Form in Nottingham as ‘outstanding’, with all other elements of the school rated as ‘good’.

A recent inspection found the sixth form – which has around 150 students and is part of the Djanogly Learning Trust – has attained high standards since it opened in September 2022. It is the first time the sixth form has been rated as part of the inspections since the last time inspectors said the overall school was ‘good’ in all areas in 2018.

Only 14 per cent of all schools were rated outstanding in overall effectiveness in 2024 across the country. Sixth forms are rated as part of a school’s general inspection alongside four categories: the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Joseph Irons, the sixth form’s director, said part of the rating comes down to the extra support offered to students who may face barriers in education. He says the sixth form opened after figures showed a number of the secondary school’s previous cohorts were classed as ‘NEET’ – those not in education, employment or training – after leaving. 6.1 per cent of Nottingham pupils aged 16-17 were assessed as ‘NEET’ in 2024, higher than the national average of 4 per cent.

“The rating justifies everything we’ve been doing here,” he told Notts TV.

“This is an outstanding sixth form and we see that day in, day out. Students are now being given opportunities here to go and study or do apprenticeships.

“We have students who have ended up studying medicine in Edinburgh or Engineering in Nottingham”.

The school and sixth form has a large number of students who speak English as an additional language. Extra provisions are put in place to ensure these students receive the standard of learning offered to all, the school said.

“It comes beyond the classroom,” Mr Irons added.

“We have a dedicated team of staff who work with the students because we understand the challenges that entails. Inside the classroom, we work with lesson packets which detail what’s being learnt in the lesson, allowing students to read and listen at the same time.

“We expect all students to use a note-taking system in lessons which allows them to take notes and review them regularly, which embeds that learning. We really pay attention to supporting those needs”.

The Sixth Form is based on the school’s Sherwood Rise site. The wider Djanogly City secondary academy – which has more 1,200 pupils than pupils aged 11-18 – is split between sites on Sherwood Rise and Gregory Boulevard, opposite the Forest Recreational Ground.

It is part of the Djanogly Learning Trust, which runs 10 academies across Nottingham City and Derbyshire, including the Djanogly Northgate primary school in New Basford and the Djanogly Sherwood and Djanogly Strelley Academy primary schools.

All Djanogly schools are academies, meaning they are funded directly by the Department of Education rather than the local council. Academies have more of a say over how the school is run and the curriculum pupils follow, which differs from the national one set by the government.

The sixth form offers 20 A-level subjects and tailors lesson plans to students with special educational needs and disabilities. Principal Andy Smith, who has been in the role since September 2019, says its the hard work of both students and staff behind the sixth form’s ‘outstanding’ rating.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” he said.

“All of the students work incredibly hard all of the time and the quality of the teachers is truly exceptional.

“We knew that before Ofsted came in, but to get that endorsement is really nice”.

In the report, Ofsted inspectors said: “For many students, the sixth form opens doors that were once thought closed.

“Staff design tailored pathways that align with students’ aspirations, ensuring both academic and personal success. Alongside academic rigour, sixth-form students gain life skills and deep subject
knowledge.”

Students also praised what the sixth form has to offer.

Izabela Dumitrescu, 17, chose psychology, sociology, and English Language for her A-levels as she hopes to pursue a career in psychology.

“It’s been a really transformative environment for me,” she said.

“When I joined in sixth form, I had quite low expectations of myself. But the teachers gave me a lot of support and guidance and were able to help me realise my potential.

“It’s given me a structured plan.”

The Ofsted rating comes after reforms were introduced in September to the way the watchdog grades schools.

Schools are no longer given an overall effectiveness grade and are instead reviewed based on the four key areas of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

A provider helpline has also been created so providers can speak to Ofsted either during or immediately after an inspection.

It follows the death of head teacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life in January 2023 after learning her Berkshire school was due to be graded as inadequate.