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1 Feb 07Inspection Reveals Improvements At Poole School
A recent Ofsted 
inspection has highlighted improvements at Carter Community Sports College .
Inspectors said there have been significant improvements in English and physical education since the school’s last inspection. The improvements made in English have led the school to become a national showcase in literacy.
While standards in tests and examination results were below the national average, inspectors noted that there was evidence of emerging improvement in standards in subjects such as mathematics and science.
The inspection team also found evidence of improvements in teaching and learning in areas such as English, geography, physical education and religious education. While there had been improvements, the quality of teaching and learning remained inconsistent.
National Curriculum test results had improved in 2005 and in 2006 with a particular improvement in the percentage of students attaining the higher levels. In English, mathematics and science, the upper level results in 2006 were the highest the school had ever achieved.
Inspectors noted attendance was below average, but improving, and that students said they felt safe at school, with behaviour improving to a satisfactory level.
Most students said they enjoy school and appreciate their teachers. Parents speak highly of the care received by their children and the school does a good job in supporting students with learning difficulties and disabilities. Peer mentors contribute well to the school community when supporting younger students.
Inspectors said the headteacher provided good leadership and has bought about significant improvements in several areas, including the curriculum, staffing and students’ behaviour. The school has developed rigorous systems for monitoring and evaluating progress and these were beginning to show results in some areas, such as literacy across the curriculum.
Inspectors agreed with the school's realistic evaluation of where it is at this point in time and what still needs to be done to improve further in the future. In particular, they said the school needs to:
· provide greater and more consistent challenge for students across all subjects in order to raise standards and accelerate progress
· ensure that where there is good practice in teaching and learning it is shared more widely across the rest of the school
· ensure that all teachers consistently use the school's assessment information to help students fully understand how well they are doing and to show exactly what they need to do in order to improve their work further
These areas for improvement had already been identified by the school and work is already in hand to achieve ambitious but attainable targets set for 2007, including almost doubling it five GCSE A* -C results, including English and mathematics.
John Nash, Strategic Director for Children's Services, Borough of Poole said: "The school understands its strengths and weaknesses and I have every confidence that over the coming year, with the support of the local authority, it will focus on its priorities and make significant improvements.”
Judy McBlain, Headteacher of Carter Community Sports College, said: “As a small caring school we are able to provide for individual students' needs alongside developing academic excellence. A growing number of students in our school now achieve top Key Stage 3 and GCSE grades.”
Student Stuart Davies said: “At Carter, I have a lot of opportunities to do well. I have help in all of my classes when I need it. Maths is one of my favourite subjects. My first Maths module result was an A* and I also got an A in Science. Being at Carter is helping me to achieve my goals.”
Ian Turner, Media Relations Officer, Borough of Poole, Tel: 01202 633295
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