Ofsted
Sheldon had its fourth Ofsted inspection on March 27 2008. The lead inspector was Mr Christopher Russell HMI.
Sheldon's previous Ofsted inspections resulted in the school being identified as "particularly successful " on three separate occasions. Only seven comprehensive schools in the country had received this accolade.
The outcome of the 2008 inspection was even more impressive. Sheldon was judged to be an "outstanding school ".
The most significant aspect of the report is that Sheldon was judged to be outstanding in all 38 inspection categories - an exceptional achievement matched by only six comprehensive schools in 1,500 Ofsted inspections.
The report summary begins:
This is an outstanding school. When it was inspected three years ago, it was judged
to be very good with many outstanding features. It has improved significantly since
then. Parents recognise and appreciate the school’s quality and the very large
majority of responses to the inspection questionnaire were very positive. One
parent’s comment was typical of many: ‘We have always found Sheldon to be an
excellent school, well led and run by excellent staff who are always well informed
about the children they are teaching.’
Sheldon’s headteacher, Gerard MacMahon, said:
“We are very proud of what Sheldon’s staff and pupils have achieved. It is rare for a school to be judged outstanding by Ofsted. To be judged outstanding in all 38 categories is an exceptional achievement.”
“I was pleased that the inspection team picked out Sheldon’s positive ethos and the behaviour, attitudes and relationships of pupils. The outstanding achievements of our children in their exams are easy to measure and praise, but the inspectors were able to identify why the school is so successful.”
“Sheldon is the first Wiltshire school to achieve a perfect report. In fact, Sheldon’s Ofsted record is now better than any other comprehensive school in England. But we must keep our feet on the ground, we know that there are many ways in which we can improve.”
More detailed information about the report can be found here.
Download the inspection report
Ofsted's letter to pupils and students
Read Sheldon's accompanying letter to parents
DCSF Performance Tables 2007
Key Stage 3Key Stage 4
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DfES Performance Tables 2006
Key Stage 3Key Stage 4
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DfES Performance Tables 2005
Key Stage 3Key Stage 4
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DfES Performance Tables 2004
Key Stage 3Key Stage 4
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DfES Performance Tables 2003
Key Stage 3Key Stage 4
Post 16