In accordance with section 13 (4) of the Education Act 2005, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that the school no longer requires special measures.

Andrew Marvell is a satisfactory and improving school. The school has made significant improvement since the previous inspection. Notably, leadership and management have strengthened, the quality of teaching has improved and provision for care, guidance and support is good. As a result, students’ achievement is now satisfactory.
The quality of teaching is continuing to improve rapidly across key stages and subject areas. With a firm focus on students’ progress in lessons, school leaders have ensured, through the rigorous monitoring of classroom practice and well-targeted professional development, that all groups of students are making at least satisfactory progress. Key groups of students, notably boys and students with special educational needs and/or disabilities, who were significantly underachieving at the previous inspection, are now benefiting from the school’s strong emphasis on improving classroom practice.
The quality of care guidance and support that students receive is good and promotes both their personal and academic development, through effective pastoral work and, where required, academic intervention. Students report that they enjoy school and feel safe.
The headteacher, ably supported by the deputy headteacher, is providing purposeful and effective leadership with a clear vision for continuous improvement. In this he is well supported by leaders, teachers and support staff. There is a strong sense of teamwork across the school with a clear understanding of what has been achieved and what is yet to be done to further improve outcomes for students. The governing body is rigorous in monitoring the school’s work and challenging performance in all areas. Measurable improvements in all areas highlighted at the previous inspection and accurate self-evaluation show that the school now has satisfactory capacity for sustained improvement.
What does the school need to do to improve further?

• Maintain the focus on teaching and increase the proportion of good and outstanding lessons by:

- using assessment information more precisely to tailor activities in lessons to meet the needs of individual students and promote independent learning
- using questioning more effectively to check students’ understanding and progress, and ensure high levels of challenge.

• Raise attainment across the curriculum by:

- closing the gaps in performance between different groups, particularly boys,
to enable the majority of students to make at least good progress
developing and promoting students’ literacy skills in all subject areas.-
Quote from Headteacher
We are very pleased with the Inspection findings and delighted that we are judged to be a ‘satisfactory and improving school’. The last two years have been very challenging for us all and the staff, Governors, pupils and parents have worked together in partnership to ensure that our pupils are receiving a quality education. It has been a real team effort for us and we have been fortunate to have strong support from our Foundation trustees and our sponsors the Co-operative group. Our recent validation as Investors in People with a Silver Award gained this term is testimony to the cohesive working practice and support our college provides for all member of the educational community. This alongside other national kite marks we have gained this year as a Healthy school, a Young Enterprise National Centre of Excellence and the Information and Guidance Gold standard recognise the quality of education, enterprise and guidance our students receive on a daily basis.
The College exam results for 2011 place us in the top 30% of schools nationally for value added performance and pupils at the end of Key Stage 4, pupil progress is now well above the national average. The cycle of improvement will be maintained and we look forward being judged as at least a ‘good’ school when we are next inspected.