WELCOME

WELCOME

February 2010

Well we did it... Together.

I have often described Barley Lane as a school with a troubled past (a considerable understatement some might argue) but now we have earned the right to be described as a school determinedly heading to a successful future.

Barley Lane has emerged from Ofsted’s judgment that we required very significant improvement and a consequent period in both “Special Measures” and “Notice to Improve” and we are now judged “satisfactory” and “improving” with many good aspects.

The children and young people, their teachers and learning support assistants and the staff who support behind the scenes have all been magnificent and together achieved very significant improvements in learning and behaviour: school is a happy place and life-chances are being enhanced.

Governors, parents and carers along with our partners in Devon County Council have all been wonderfully supportive and encouraging throughout. Thank you.

Ofsted have their critics but we have valued and respected the robustness and fairness of their work with us throughout the last two years.

The universal support and approval of parents and carers ensured our inspection started on a very positive note and alongside the positive feedback to Ofsted from the young people in our care these are the judgments we treasure and value most.

Oh and we are welcome again in the CO-OP (many thanks for the doughnuts....there goes the Healthy Schools Award).

The year 11 group of 08-09 deserves a special mention because their GCSE and wider exam success evidenced our progress so respect to Nathan and Adam, Neville, Jason, Tom and Blake. Don’t be strangers......and thank you for keeping me in a job!

Ofsted describe a “family” atmosphere and sure families can be difficult things in all their diversity and difference but where there is genuine warmth and care and kindness and a real belief in optimism and possibility and wonder then who knows what we might achieve because anything is possible?

So no room for complacency then.....

Michael MacCourt

headteacher

As head-teacher welcome to my page and links...

These have been challenging but quietly and steadily encouraging times for Barley Lane. We are a school for children and young people (boys) experiencing emotional, social and behavioural challenges: a school with a difficult and troubled history only recently successfully removed from “special measures” and now seeking to move on from a “notice to improve” from Ofsted.