St Sampson’s High elevated to ‘good’ in latest inspection

The positive report comes just two years after a previous inspection report found the school to be ‘inadequate’ in three of four areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management – and requiring improvement in personal development and welfare.

The latest inspection found the school’s curriculum had undergone many recent changes, and was now carefully planned and ambitious for all students.

One of these changes included efforts to improve literacy levels, with the report stating that work in this area was starting to bear fruit.

• Watch: Headteacher Vicky Godley told the Guernsey Press she was delighted for staff, students and parents

‘Students enjoy reading with their tutors, and younger students value the time they have reading with older students to improve their fluency,’ it said.

The creation of a ‘calm and purposeful’ environment meant that students were aware of what was expected of them because of the establishment of clear’ routines, while the report also identified a range of activities, such as music, clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which it said enriched students’ lives.

Regarding students with special educational needs and disabilities, the report said that these were accurately identified, with staff having a secure knowledge of how to apply suitable support strategies, including extra pastoral provision.

The new personal development curriculum was praised and described as ‘highly ambitious’.

Attendance statistics were criticised, and although the school had worked to improve attendance to some extent, it was noted that there was ‘still work to do ensure all pupils attend school every day’.

The report commended leaders for being ‘highly effective’ in ensuring that their expectations and ways of working were understood, as well as how meticulous and thorough senior leaders were in their analysis of all aspects of school life.

‘Staff as a whole are united in their vision to continue driving improvements at the school, so that all pupils receive a good quality of education,’ it said.

St Sampson’s headteacher Vicky Godley said she was delighted by the report. She put the school’s improvement down to the commitment and hard work of staff and students alike.

‘We have worked hard on the curriculum to ensure it’s ambitious for everybody, and we continue to do all the extra-curricular activities that are at the heart of building a culture within a school,’ she said.

‘No school is ever perfect, but it’s a great springboard in terms of where we are and where we want to be over the next few years.’

She was particularly pleased that the school’s reputation in terms of poor behaviour and bullying had improved, after being found to be inadequate two years ago.

‘We want our young people to be safe and happy.

‘You can see visiting the school now that they’re a happy bunch.’

Mrs Godley moved to St Sampson’s in September 2020, having spent nine years at La Mare de Carteret High where she was credited with a turnaround at the school following poor examination results.