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Ivybridge Community College

Ivybridge Community College

Ivybridge Community College

World Class Schools Quality Mark Award Achieved

Ivybridge Community College gains prestigious World Class Schools Quality Mark Award. 

Ivybridge Community College is both delighted and honoured to have gained the very prestigious award of World Class Schools Quality Mark Award.  Consequently this means that the College is the only school in the South West to have received this accolade and it is an external validation of Ivybridge Community College, as not only an outstanding school (with a legacy of 20 years of outstanding School status deemed by Ofsted), but more importantly, one which produces World Class Students.

After a rigorous pre-selection process, which involved a recommendation by an existing World Class School, a visit by Miranda Perry, Director of World Class Schools Quality Mark, an interview with the Principal, a tour of the College hosted by some of our students and an external analysis of the College’s examination results, only then was the College able to begin to apply to join the World Class Schools network.

In addition our quantitative data analysed by the WCSQM identified the College to be amongst the highest nationally in terms of progress for all key groups of students.

A week was then designated at the start of this autumn term, whereby a group of students completed a detailed audit to demonstrate the standards set out by the WCSQM framework, as well as producing a significant body of evidence to support the audit, which was then complimented with a video to illustrate how the College embodies the standards of the network.

Finally, a small group of students participated in the WCSQM assessment centre event; collaborating with fellow applicant school students and pupils of a World Class School’s primary sector, to transform the teaching and play space at the primary school.

At the above event, Miranda Perry provided an inspirational speech about the qualities required to become a World Class student and the challenges of the assessment.

 

Three students who attended the event reflected on their experiences.  Firstly,

Olivia Brown Year 12

“It was so worth the distance that we travelled to take part in WCSQM Assessment day today just to see the little reception children’s faces when they saw that we had transformed their playground.  I would not have changed our experience for the world, and I am so grateful to the people who made it all possible.”

Hannah Doe Year 12

“I have had one of the best days of my life.  The joy we have been able to give such wonderful, enthusiastic children is a very precious gift.  I will never forget them telling me about their good values and sharing their love from learning.  Each and every one of them are so individual, polite and truly incredible.  If I could give up every day of my life to give more children like them the joy we did in just a day, I would in no time.  I would love to be given the opportunity to do this challenge again and I am very thankful to Wren Academy in London for not only giving me this memory, but for also sharing their beautiful school and delightful pupils with us all.  I would love to eat lunch with the little one’s day after day.”

Ben Conroy Year 11

“It was a wonderful experience to proudly represent the College, and show off our qualities as people and ambassadors for our amazing College.  It was also exciting to meet people from other ‘outstanding’ schools and really understand how lucky we were to attend this event and represent Ivybridge.  We all feel immensely proud to be students who attend a College, which aspires to be World Class, not only for its academic rigour but also for its students.”

 

This achievement was recognised at the World Class Schools Award Ceremony held on Thursday, 1 December at Queen Mary, University of London; Science writer and Cambridge University academic, Dr David Bainbridge presented the award to the students.  The Directors of the World Class Schools Quality Mark Award also invited us to be one of only two schools to present at the Awards Ceremony by giving a personal insight into the assessment day.  This was indeed a very special honour.

 

Deputy Principal, Gill Taylor stated that, “Sir Michael Wilshaw said that to be ‘World Class you have to focus on the one hundred per cent’, and here at the College we certainly embrace this sentiment.”