BLAISE High School in Henbury is celebrating after being judged Good in all areas following its first Ofsted inspection.
The report, published in December said the school had undergone a period of significant and rapid change since it opened as part of Greenshaw Learning Trust.
“Pupils learn in a calm, purposeful and safe environment… Pupils behave well around the school site. They develop positive relationships with each other and with staff… Teachers can focus on teaching in disruption free classrooms,” the inspectors said, noting that the number of pupils suspended or removed from lessons had fallen.
Blaise High School, formerly Henbury School, has 910 pupils, including 45 pupils and eight sixth-formers with specific learning difficulties. Four inspectors visited for two days in September, and two more spent a day at the school at the end of October to gather further evidence.
The outcome was that the school was graded Good for quality of teaching, leadership and management, and pupils’ behaviour and attitudes and their personal development.
Ofsted highlighted raised aspirations for students as well as high expectations of behaviour at the school, which aims to ‘enable every pupil to climb their own personal mountain to the very best universities’.
The inspectors noted that pupils read widely and often and that a higher proportion of pupils now continue with a strong academic curriculum for longer. They said teachers had strong subject knowledge and introduced new learning clearly.
“The curriculum is broad and ambitious for all pupils,” they reported. “Pupils who attend the specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (specially resourced provision) have a thoughtfully designed enrichment programme, which enhances their wider development.”
“Governors, trustees and trust leaders have effective systems for holding leaders to account. The trust provides additional support for areas that the school is developing. “
Headteacher Nat Nabarro said: “We are delighted with the ‘Good’ rating across all categories. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and the entire school community. Everyone in the community should be incredibly proud of this school. This is an important landmark on our journey to becoming one of the best schools in the country. I am thrilled that Ofsted have recognised the improvements made under the Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT) and really happy that the community has a school that it can be proud of.”
Jonathan Heap, Assistant Director of Secondary Education at GLT said: “The recognition, by Ofsted, that Blaise is a good school is confirmation of the incredible progress that has been made at the school. This is a reward for hard work and commitment from all involved at Blaise. Students and the local community have a school to be very proud of and we thank them for their support. We recognise the privilege of being able to work in such a diverse and energetic area of Bristol.”
Will Smith, CEO, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised the significant improvements at Blaise High School. Through the inspirational leadership of headteacher, Nat Nabarro, and the previous headteacher, Katherine Brown, the school is now providing fantastic opportunities for all of its pupils. The staff, families and wider community are benefiting from having a great school at the heart of their community.”