Ellowes Hall Sports College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 April 2023

Ellowes Hall is a school that has seen significant improvements over recent times. There is a palpable sense of the positive culture shift that has occurred. Pupils appreciate the changes that have taken place and feel increasingly happy and safe. Expectations of behaviour and pupils' academic achievement have been raised. In the main, pupils are responding well to these greater demands. They are taking pride in their workand enjoy opportunities to discuss their learning. Pupils value the way they receive prompt verbal feedback on their work and are keen to make improvements. Pupils talk about the way that behaviour has improved. Many appreciate these changes but there are a few who are not yet meeting these higher expectations. Pupils have increasing confidence that leaders will address any behaviour issues that may arise. There are many opportunities for pupils to get involved in wider school life. For example, junior prefects take responsibility for ensuring their peers arrive and settle quickly for assembly. Sixth-form students value the range of enrichment opportunities available to them which support their personal interests and career aspirations. These include sports academies, professional qualifications and community work.

What the school should improve

• In a few lessons, teachers are not careful enough when checking that pupils have fully secured their learning. Some pupils, including those with SEND, are expected to move on to the next learning activity before they are ready. This means that some pupils develop gaps in their learning. They then struggle with new learning and a few stop trying. Leaders should ensure that all staff move learning forwards at the right time for pupils so that learning is properly embedded.
• A few pupils have not bought into the new culture of respect and higher behaviour expectations. These pupils are not as considerate as they should be. Their attitudes and language mean that small groups of pupils do not feel fully valued or respected. Leaders should ensure that their monitoring of behaviour enables them to identify where the issues are and then take appropriate actions to address them.

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