Visionary school has a lesson for teachers
Teachers nationwide should copy the methods of a Leicester school which has "excelled against the odds", the head of the Government's education watchdog says.
A major report into "exceptional schools in disadvantaged circumstances" says more schools should do what Rushey Mead Secondary School does by developing students' self-confidence.
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Rushey Mead school head teacher Carolyn Robson with pupils
Only 12 schools in the country are mentioned in Chief Inspector of Schools Christine Gilbert's document about how to improve education.
She says "visionary leadership", lessons which "mould teaching to fit the needs of individual students", caring for youngsters' wellbeing, and making the best of unsatisfactory buildings contributed to Rushey Mead's success.
Despite pupils having more than 30 different mother tongues, the school records some of the best results in the city and has been given Ofsted's highest possible rating.
The school is already supporting other schools in Leicester to help them improve.
Head teacher Carolyn Robson said: "We are, of course, thrilled by what Ofsted have said but we are very fortunate to have wonderful families, kids and staff.
"We've been relentless in making sure teaching is as good as it can be. There is no place for teaching which is just 'OK'.
"We are supporting other schools and it's a two-way street so our staff can learn from them, too. Things don't happen overnight. School improvement happens over time.
"Although you can make big leaps, I worry when the Government says you can make a school radically better immediately."
Christine Gilbert, who heads the Government's education watchdog Ofsted, says Rushey Mead Secondary School was one of 12 in the country which should become an example to others.
Ms Gilbert said the school produced exceptionally good results in disadvantaged circumstances.
She said: "None of these 12 schools has any evident advantage except the quality of leadership, staff and the teaching and learning provided.
"These schools, such as Rushey Mead, show that excellence doesn't happen by chance.
"It is due to the vision and conviction of their leaders and the inspired, effective teams they have built. Much of what they do is already widespread in schools but in each case they do everything well."
Rushey Mead pupils said they were proud of how good their school was.
Shalina Patel, 13, said: "I think the teachers trust us. That's the main thing. That gives you confidence, helps you enjoy yourself and makes you learn and work."
Akeel Shaikh, 14, said: "Teachers are creative. Lessons aren't just boring where you read out of textbooks."
Marci Gardiner, 15, said: "It's good that the school is so multicultural. Everyone gets on and nobody feels left out."
5 Comments
by John Stitch, Leicester Town
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 2:43PM
“No Sue, they certainly don't need to - that's the point I was making, and this particular success might well be attributable to a firm insistence on abandoning the need to do so.”
by Sue, Oadby
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 2:21PM
“If these schools are remarkable for the quality of leadership, staff and the teaching and learning provided then surely all schools should aspire to being this remarkable. As I said before Rushey Mead sounds as if it is well on the way to being dyslexia friendly and it would be wonderful if this was the norm rather than the exception. You are correct John Stitch in concluding that it is the staff that make the real difference but they don't necessarily need to speak in different languages to teach children in the ways they learn.”
by John Stitch, Leicester Town
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 12:14PM
“These results are reported here as being remarkable 'despite pupils having more than 30 different mother tongues' and yet goes on to say, no doubt rightly that 'none of these 12 schools has any evident advantage except the quality of leadership, staff and the teaching and learning provided'.
In other words, it's more down to the staff than the pupils. How many different mother tongues do the staff have, I wonder ?”
by Barry Smith, Mowmacre hill
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 11:57AM
“This is a positive step taken and shows a dedication to helping pupils to achieve.
My warmest congratulations and hope others can follow your vision.”
by Sue, Oadby
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 10:02AM
“Very well done. i look forward to the school receiving a dyslexia friendly accreditation as it sound as if they are well on the way. Congratulations again”