High achievers
Rachel MacFarlane, headteacher
When a school's inspection report comments, 'few schools in similar contexts do as well as this school to prepare students so well for life', you know that's a great school. And, in this case, Walthamstow School for Girls, in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, joins the 13% of schools inspected in England in 2006/07 that were judged 'outstanding'.
A comprehensive community school for nearly 900 girls aged 11-16, Walthamstow is a Beacon school and gained specialist status as a Mathematics and Computing College in September 2004. Even though situated in a socio-economically deprived area, its students are achieving significant results. So how do they do it?
Our Annual Report lists several key features of outstanding schools. These include, ‘high aspirations for the pupil’s personal and academic development, clear-minded leadership shared among an effective senior team, consistently good teaching, and a determined approach to tackling any hindrances’.
All these are highlighted in Walthamstow's March 2007 report. Some of the school's success is attributed to headteacher Rachel MacFarlane. Now in her fourth year at the school, she's described as 'an inspirational, forward thinking leader with a clear vision' whose 'high expectations are driving the school forward'.
Information is shared openly with students. They know exactly where they are and what their targets are.Rachel MacFarlane
Rachel attributes part of the school's success to its 'smart use of data'. She says, 'It's had a direct bearing on attainment and standards in the past three years. We test the Year 7 girls' verbal and non-verbal skills and can predict how they'll perform in their GCSEs five years later.' From data collected they can identify who might excel in written work and whether they are visual learners or practical learners. Rachel comments, 'Using that knowledge we make sure they get the opportunity to learn in different ways. The information is shared openly with students. They know exactly where they are and what their targets are. What we’re doing with data might not be unique, but it’s central to attainment and we’d recommend other schools to focus on data and targets.'
Another key factor in Walthamstow's success is the implementation of a recent initiative, Building Learning Power (BLP). The brainchild of Professor Guy Claxton, from Bristol University, it helps develop students' understanding of effective learning strategies. Rachel explains, 'Year 7 students have one hour a fortnight doing a BLP session. It supports them to develop a set of skills and a learning disposition they can use in their whole life, not just in school. It produces smarter, more confident learners who are able to cope with all aspects of life.'
More information and the key findings of HMCI annual report can be downloaded by clicking here You can download a copy of Walthamstow School for Girls inspection report.
