Parkside Studio College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 May 2023

Pupils are very happy in this small school. Pupils arrive in the school at a variety of different starting points and from a wide range of other settings, including from overseas. Leaders and teachers work hard to meet these pupils' very different needs. They make sure that pupils feel welcome, cared for and are safe. Pupils follow a curriculum that is matched to their interests. As well as studying a core curriculum that includes English, mathematics and science, pupils choose from a range of very well-resourced vocational subjects. Pupils enjoy working in small class sizes. They benefit from using professional equipment, such green screen technology in the creative design studio. This helps them to prepare for the world of work and further training. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are positive. Pupils show respect for each other and their teachers. Leaders, teachers and pupils have created a sense of community. This is exemplified by participation in the weekly lunchtime karaoke session in the school dining area, sports clubs and the positive interactions between staff and pupils.

What the school should improve

• Pupils start their vocational courses in Year 9. This means that time to develop pupils' understanding of other subjects, such as religious education, is sometimes limited. Leaders should take steps to ensure pupils learn important content from a range of curriculum subjects in Year 9 so that pupils build their knowledge.
• The number of students enrolled in the sixth form is low. This means that there is no sense of community for sixth-form students, and courses and resources are not utilised as intended. Leaders should take steps to increase the number of students who choose to study post-16 courses so that sixth-form students can be part of a learning community, making full use of the resources on offer.
• Governance has been in a state of transition for too long and there has been no local area board for some time. This means that there is limited routine scrutiny of the school's work, for example on curriculum decisions. Leaders at the trust should expedite plans to create a local area board so that school leaders can be supported and challenged in line with the published scheme of delegation.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)