Welcome back- I hope you managed to have a decent break and enjoy some early spring-like sunshine.

On Monday, Christine Gilbert and I attended the children’s scrutiny session at the Crowndale, where I presented the annual Achievement and Standards report to our members. This was the first report from Camden Learning summarising the results and progress by children and young people in comparison to the national and London data. I was able to demonstrate that there is no doubt our pupils are achieving well in some indicators and we still remain ambitious and want to be amongst the best in London. I mentioned the significant gains that had been made at Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2 and recognise there is there is still more to do at end of KS4, although for clarity, results are above National and broadly in line with London. For this, we have a longer-term trajectory and our secondary schools are very good, inclusive and comprehensive. I believe that as a system, we have a greater collective capacity now and this is exemplified by the 92% of schools who lead and participated in our learning hubs this year. No doubt, there is a sense of change in the direction of travel with Ofsted consulting on the new framework and the emphasis on the quality of education block, which emphasises the design of the curriculum and accountability linked to inclusiveness.

As a reminder, we do have John Seal HMI who will be joining us at Regent High School on Monday 25th February from 1.30pm, where we will be taken through the new framework and the key questions relating to the consultation. We do have plenty of room in the theatre at RHS, so please extend the invite to governors and senior leaders for the session. We have planned two open sessions for heads and governors to come together to contribute to the Camden Learning response to the Ofsted consultation, which we will collate and respond to Ofsted by 4th April. A session for primary Heads and governors will be held on Tuesday 12th March at 5:15pm 11th floor, 5PS and on Thursday 14th March for secondary Heads and governors at 5pm Conference room, Crowndale Centre. Special Heads and governors can join either of the sessions and if you cannot attend one of the dates, we can always accommodate you at the other. Please book your place using the following link; New Ofsted Framework Briefing.

Jon Abbey

Managing Director, Camden Learning