PROTECT-INSPECTION
Foss House
T 0300 1231231
1-2 Peasholme Green
Text Phone: 0161 6188524
York
xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx
YO1 7PX
www.ofsted.gov.uk
1 December 2014
Mrs Jen McIntosh
Principal
Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College
Thornbury Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD3 8HE
Dear Mrs McIntosh
Requires improvement visit 28 November 2014
Following my visit to your college with Helen Storey Senior HMI on 28 November
2014, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s
Services and Skills to report the findings of our visit. Thank you for the help you
gave us and for the time you and other leaders made available to discuss the actions
you are taking to improve your college since the most recent section 5 inspection.
This was the fourth visit to the college since it was judged to require improvement
following the section 5 inspection in September 2013. It was carried out under
section 117 (1) of the Education and Inspection Act 2006.
Main findings
The college has not made enough progress towards addressing the areas for
improvement in the last section 5 inspection. Many new policies and systems are
very recent and have not had time to have a measurable impact. Recently appointed
leaders and teachers have yet to demonstrate that they can make a significant
difference to students’ achievement.
GCSE outcomes in 2014 were a severe set-back on the college’s journey towards
good, particularly in English. The college has responded to the English results with a
range of actions, including commissioning an external review. This review has
identified an underlying issue in the quality of teaching of writing but this is only just
beginning to be addressed. Some actions by leaders have led to improvements, for
example, better achievement in science and higher student attendance. In the sixth
form, retention rates have been improved and the number of Year 12 students
failing to gain a pass at AS level has been reduced. Achievement in vocational
qualifications in the sixth form continues to be more positive than in academic
PROTECT-INSPECTION
subjects. Changes to the curriculum at Key Stage 4 have the potential to contribute
to better achievement in 2015. The college has identified that the legacy of a
previous curriculum model, such as sitting a GCSE in Year 10 and then studying a
different GCSE in Year 11, was still having a negative impact on student outcomes in
2014.
Leaders are strongly committed to improving outcomes for students and firmly
believe that the necessary leaders, staff and college systems are in place to deliver
this. However, it is uncertain whether the necessary improvements can be secured
before the next section 5 inspection.
The Interim Executive Board (IEB) is focused on challenging and supporting college
leaders. Members are rightly questioning the pace of improvement and the impact of
actions being taken to improve the quality of teaching and student outcomes.
Yours sincerely
Katrina Gueli
Her Majesty’s Inspector