Ofsted rates Bishop’s Stortford’s Avanti Grange ‘outstanding’ across the board

Bishop’s Stortford’s newest secondary school has achieved an outstanding Ofsted rating across the board with its first inspection.

Avanti Grange principal Rhys Jones heralded the newly published report as just the first step for the Newland Avenue secondary.

He said: “An outstanding Ofsted is by no means the end of the journey. It was never the destination, but it’s a milestone in what we hope will be the creation of one of the very best schools in the country.”

The former Hockerill Anglo-European College vice-principal joined the Avanti Trust in 2022, taking on the challenge of founding a new secondary for Stortford Fields and St Michael’s Hurst in his first headship.

For the first year, his pupils had to study at Avanti Meadows Primary School while their new campus was constructed.

From the start, he said he was determined to create a generation of changemakers who would make the world a better place.

Staff and students moved into the new buildings in September 2023, before the work was fully completed, and are still waiting for a bridge to be built across the A120 to their playing fields.

Mr Jones paid tribute to the parents who bought into his vision for Avanti Grange despite these challenges, and the teachers, support staff and children who have made his dream a reality.

He said: “Our mantra was always to do the best we can with what we have got at this moment in time.”

When Ofsted inspectors visited in May, they found the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all outstanding.

Their report says: “This school is an exceptionally positive community. Pupils value each other, staff and the high-quality education they receive.

“Pupils live the ‘Avanti way’ by being compassionate, articulate and respectful ‘changemakers’.

“They learn these characteristics effectively through the school’s rich, ambitious curriculum. As one pupil noted, reflecting the view of many, ‘The school makes you the best person you could want to be’.”

The scrutineers noted that the pupils behaved “impeccably” and had “excellent attitudes” to learning.

As well as academic excellence, Avanti stresses the importance of mental health with yoga and meditation sessions for all youngsters.

There is also an array of extra-curricular activities “meticulously designed” to develop pupils’ confidence and character.

The report says: “Expert staff ensure the curriculum is taught well. Classrooms buzz with enthusiasm because teachers make learning purposeful and accessible.

“Checks on learning are a further strength of the school. These checks help staff quickly spot if pupils need extra support or encouragement to do well. As a result, pupils make excellent progress from their starting points.”

The secondary’s specialist provision for children with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities) was also praised, and Avanti Grange also offers specially resourced provision for up to 12 pupils with autism and speech, language and communication needs.

Mr Jones said while starting from scratch was a challenge, it had given staff a clean slate and the chance to weave a “golden thread” into the curriculum, which would stand the school in good stead as staff and students face their next challenges.

Avanti Grange currently has 469 pupils in Years 7 to 9, and youngsters are getting ready to begin their GCSE studies.

Building work is also set to begin on a dedicated sixth-form centre as the school prepares for its first A-level cohort.

When fully open, Avanti Grange will have over 1,200 students, including 300 sixth-formers.