Rye Studio School’s outstanding Ofsted report

Rye Studio School for the Creative Industries, which opened in September 2013 and specialises in the arts and business provision for 14- to 19-year-olds in East Sussex and Kent, was rated as ‘outstanding’ in all areas by education inspectors following a recent visit.

Robin Hammerton, in his report, said: “This school has an impressive and pioneering vision of its role and purpose. After only two years of opening, this vision is fully realised.

“Students benefit immensely from being at the school: personally, creatively and academically. They achieve excellently in all subjects and projects. The quality and breadth of their work in visual arts is particularly striking.

“Teaching is excellent and continues to improve. Students enjoy very productive and supportive partnerships with the staff, in which their ideas are highly valued.

“The school has very strong partnerships with local businesses and organisations, including the local authority, as well as some further afield. Students benefit from a very wide range of work experience.”

Inspectors also praised Rye Academy Trust, saying it ‘supports and guides the school excellently’.

Ofsted said staff at the school had ‘considerable expertise and commitment’.

Mr Hammerton added in his report: “Many are successful artistic and creative professionals in their own right. Students really appreciate this expertise.”

The report highlighted how the school instils confidence in its pupils and how students who had underperformed prior to attending Rye Studio are enabled to more fully realise their potential.

Jo Townshend, principal, said: “This is a huge achievement for our school in just two years, for our students, staff, parents and the whole community.

“Our students join us from Bexhill to Folkestone and travel to gain our specialist provision.”

Rye MP, Amber Rudd, praised the school for its excellent Ofsted report.

She said: “This report serves as just recognition for a school which has made an undeniably positive impact on the community and young people of Rye and beyond since its opening. I was pleased to see the school’s staff praised for their commitment and the respective and supportive relationships they have with students, and principal Jo Townshend commended for her remarkable leadership.

“I am sure Rye Studio School will continue to excel and nurture the creative talent of our area’s young people for many years to come.”

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