This achievement marks a significant milestone for Shelley College, reaffirming the dedication and excellence of our students, staff, and the wider school community. Their previous inspection in 2013 judged the school ‘Outstanding’ overall, but the Sixth Form was rated as ‘Good.’ We are therefore particularly delighted that the substantial improvements in the Sixth Form provision have been acknowledged, making Shelley College the only ‘Outstanding’ school-based Sixth Form in Kirklees.

The Ofsted report highlighted many key strengths of Shelley's Sixth Form provision, including:

• “In the sixth form, students prepare for future options through a well-designed and purposeful programme.”

• “Many pupils leave the sixth form to enrol at prestigious universities across the country.”

These accolades reflect the hard work and commitment of our Sixth Form students and staff to delivering an outstanding educational experience.

Beyond the Sixth Form, the report contained a wealth of positive comments about the school, showcasing the ambition, unity, and excellence that define Shelley College. Some of our favourite highlights include:

• “Ambition and aspiration are at the heart of everything that Shelley College does.”

• “Leaders and staff strive to improve their already first-rate work to reach even higher quality. This shows the ambition, unity and togetherness evident at the school.”

• “Behaviour in lessons, and around school, is exceptional.”

• “All pupils are valued and respected in this school.”

• “A rare sense of unity and togetherness pervades the school.”

• “There is a relentless focus on ensuring that the needs of pupils are understood and met. Pupils with SEND are expertly supported in lessons.”

• “The consistently high-quality delivery of the curriculum is remarkable.”

• “Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for further and higher education and employment.”

These comments encapsulate the ethos and spirit of Shelley College, where ambition and aspiration drive them to achieve excellence for every student.

This outstanding recognition is the result of years of unwavering dedication by our staff and students, as well as the invaluable support from parents, carers, and the local community. We are incredibly proud of this report and the positive recognition it brings to Shelley College.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this fantastic achievement!

You can read the full report here.