CAMBRIDGE HOUSE UNDER MICROSCOPE

MEETINGS are being held this week in Cambridge House involving the pupils and principal, members of the Parent Council and representatives of the NEELB in the wake of the school’s failed Sixth Form provision inspection.

Although the damning Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) report has not yet been made public, both the school and the North Eastern Education and Library Board have confirmed that Cambridge House is in formal intervention.

The Board of Governors and teaching staff at Cambridge House Grammar School have been promised the full support of the NEELB as they endeavour to introduce improvements in their Sixth Form provision which a focussed inspection has found to be ‘inadequate’.

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The pledge was contained in a statement from the NEELB issued on Friday afternoon after it emerged that the school had failed an inspection and was in “formal intervention”.

Formal intervention means the school must produce an action plan and get extra support to help it improve.

Yesterday (Monday), the school released a copy of a letter being sent out to parents from the principal, Mrs Eileen Lisk, in which she apologised for the way that news had broken on the inspection report “without prior parental communication”.

She stated: “There were arrangements in place to inform all parents/guardians and students in advance (of its publication) but, regrettably, events overtook the agreed communication process”.

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In her letter, Mrs Lisk also revealed that she had met with all students in years 8-11 on Monday and that a meeting of the Parent Council would also take place this week with NEELB representatives in attendance.

“The core purpose of Cambridge House Grammar School is to focus on the education, care and welfare of our excellent young people and the care and welfare of our school family,” she stated.

Pointing out that the Board ‘have confirmed that there will be no change to the Grammar status of Cambridge House Grammar School’, Mrs Lisk continued: “The Board of Governors, Senior Leadership Team and entire staff are fully committed to working positively in support of NEELB and DE (Dept of Education) to fully address the areas for improvement identified in the April 2011 Report.

“The school has worked hard on multiple levels to provide the best opportunities for all of our young people. This ETI assessment will now enable the school to focus and target very specific identified areas for development which will be supported by additional funding and expertise from NEELB and that is to be welcomed.

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“The school wishes to reassure parents/guardians and students of our dedication to the continued education of our excellent young people and the welfare and care of our very supportive family”.

A statement from the NEELB on Friday said Cambridge House will get full Board support.

“The Education and Training Inspectorate has carried out an inspection report on Cambridge House’s Sixth Form provision which is due to be published shortly.

“We understand that the report has identified weaknesses in that provision and as a result the school will require formal intervention procedures in order to rectify the situation,” the statement read. “The North Eastern Education and Library Board and the School’s Board of Governors will work together to bring about improvements in all the areas identified by the Inspectors. “An action plan will be drawn up very quickly to address the issues raised in the report. The Board’s Curriculum Advisory and Support Service team will be able to offer intensive support. “The Education and Training Inspectors will be monitoring the steps to be taken closely and will have the full cooperation of the Governors and staff.

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“Monitoring visits will take place over the next year with a follow-up inspection to measure the improvements expected in the next 12 to 18 months,” the Board said.

Cambridge House Board of Governors in a statement commented: “Cambridge House Grammar School welcomes the assessment, undertaken by the Education and Training Inspectorate, looking at our Sixth Form provision.

“The Board of Governors has accepted the findings and the school, with the support of the North Eastern Education and Library Board, is committed to improving the standard of education available for our pupils and to raising examination outcomes.

“The Governors’ focus will therefore remain firmly on learning, teaching, raising standards in the school and providing the range of opportunities we offer to our young people.”