Ofsted

Harris Girls’ Academy was inspected by Ofsted in March 2012 and classed as ‘outstanding’ in every aspect of its work.

The Ofsted team concluded that East Dulwich Girls’ was outstanding in all four of the reported categories:

• achievement of pupils

• quality of teaching

• behaviour and pupil safety

• leadership and management

The new Ofsted framework, introduced in 2012, focuses on lesson observations, student achievement, progress over time and development of literacy across the curriculum, as well as conversations with students, parents and staff.

“Students achieve exceptionally well.” Ofsted 2012

Inspectors praised the ‘relentless pursuit of excellence by leaders and managers and the highest aspirations for every student’, saying this was central to our success.

Our academy has been in the top 2% of schools nationally for student progress for the past two years, and Ofsted agreed that all students ‘achieve exceptionally well’ and ‘have very positive attitudes to learning’.

"The curriculum is outstanding.” Ofsted 2012

They were particularly impressed to see consistently students choosing to learn, describing them as ‘extremely keen to achieve’.  Ofsted said ‘a calm atmosphere pervades the academy’ with students overwhelming agreeing that ‘the academy is a safe place to be’. 

“A calm atmosphere pervades the academy.” Ofsted 2012

The team rightly noted that ‘students’ well-being, health and safety are at the heart of the academy’s work’, that ‘bullying is rare’ and that ‘high levels of respect were shown as students listened attentively to their peers’. Health Sciences, which includes a focus on the wellbeing of our students, is one of the academy’s particular strengths and specialisms.

“A superb range of opportunities.” Ofsted 2012

With the new focus on literacy and development of the ‘basics’, the inspection team described the curriculum as providing ‘memorable experiences, broadening horizons, motivating students and raising aspiration’. Developing literacy being seen as ‘paramount’, they said.

View or download the complete Ofsted report.

You can also visit the official Department for Education performance web page about our academy.

Give Ofsted your views on our academy at Ofsted Parent View.