Etone College is celebrating a fantastic achievement following the publication of its latest Ofsted inspection report, with inspectors recognising the school as achieving the Strong standard in six key areas under the new national inspection framework.

The report highlights the quality of education, opportunities and experiences provided to pupils at the Nuneaton school, recognising the dedication of staff, positive attitudes of pupils and strength of the wider Etone community.

Under the new Ofsted framework, introduced in November 2025, schools are evaluated across individual areas rather than receiving a single overall effectiveness grade. Etone achieved six Strong standard judgements in Inclusion, Curriculum and Teaching, Personal Development and Wellbeing, Leadership and Governance, Sixth Form Provision, and Attendance and Behaviour, with safeguarding also meeting the required standard.

At the heart of the report is the recognition of the high-quality education provided at Etone, with inspectors highlighting that “Teachers have expert subject knowledge and their teaching is clear and purposeful.” This reflects the school's commitment to providing a broad, ambitious curriculum delivered by knowledgeable and dedicated staff, supported by continued investment in professional development and collaboration.

Equally important is the recognition of Etone's inclusive culture and the strong relationships established across the school. Inspectors described “a powerful sense of community that pupils feel proud to be part of.” This reflects the school's commitment to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their background or starting points, feel valued, supported and able to participate fully in school life.

The positive culture was also recognised through the Strong standard judgement for Attendance and Behaviour, with inspectors noting that “Pupils feel safe and secure in school”. This reflects the high expectations, positive relationships and shared values that help create a purposeful and supportive learning environment.

Inclusion was another significant strength identified during the inspection, with the report stating that “Inclusion is a strength of Etone and is at the heart of pupils’ experiences.” This recognition celebrates the school's work to remove barriers to learning and ensure that every pupil receives the support and opportunities needed to thrive.

Beyond the classroom, Etone's commitment to personal development was also recognised as Strong. Through an extensive programme of extracurricular clubs, enrichment activities, student leadership, careers education and charitable initiatives, pupils are encouraged to develop the confidence, character and skills needed for their futures. This commitment reflects the school's ambition for every pupil to Participate in Quality, Belong to Community and Thrive in Education.

The school's Sixth Form provision was also judged Strong, reflecting the quality of post-16 education and the support provided to students as they prepare for university, apprenticeships and employment. Leadership and Governance were similarly recognised as Strong, reflecting the shared ambition and strategic direction established across the school as part of Matrix Academy Trust.

The latest report marks another milestone in Etone's journey. Having been placed in special measures in 2013, the school has since established itself as a nationally recognised institution with an impressive record of awards and achievements.

Most recently, Etone was crowned Secondary School of the Year at The Education Awards 2026, following successes including Community School of the Year at the Education Business Awards and recognition at the SuperKind Social Impact Awards.

The school has also achieved the School Games Gold Award, Eco-Schools Green Flag, International School Award and Quality in Careers Standard, alongside numerous national nominations. In 2025, Etone's achievements were further celebrated when BBC CWR selected the school as its Star School of the Week.

Community engagement remains central to Etone's identity, with pupils raising over £35,000 for charitable causes since 2021. The school has also developed partnerships and outreach work with local schools, Matrix Academy Trust and Staffordshire Research School, contributing to professional development, educational research and the sharing of effective practice.

Alongside these achievements, Etone has maintained a positive Progress 8 score every year since records began in 2016, demonstrating that pupils consistently make more progress than the national average from their starting points. Within the new inspection framework, Achievement was judged to meet the Expected standard, with the school continuing to build on its established record of academic success.

Reflecting on the inspection, Mr Smith, Headteacher at Etone College, said:

"We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our latest Ofsted inspection. To achieve six Strong judgementsunder the new framework is a fantastic recognition of the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone who makes Etone such a special place.

"What is particularly pleasing is the breadth of the recognition. From the quality of teaching and our inclusive culture to the behaviour of pupils and opportunities beyond the classroom, the report reflects the things we value most as a school.

"Our ambition has always been to provide pupils with much more than qualifications. We want them to leave Etone with the knowledge, confidence, experiences and skills to make a positive contribution to society.

"Following our recent national awards and recognition, this report is another achievement that our whole community can be proud of. I would like to thank our pupils, staff, parents, governors and the wider community for their continued support. Whilst this is a moment to celebrate, we remain as ambitious as ever in ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to participate, belong and thrive."

The full Ofsted inspection report is available to read on the Ofsted website.

A big thank you to our Year 7 and 12 parents who attended the Parent Session for RHSE at Etone College. The event was attended by parents who wanted to explore the amazing work our Personal Development team do to deliver high quality provision for pupils. Something we are very proud of and has contributed to the school achieving the Strong Standard in our most recent Ofsted report. We are always grateful of the support our parents show us and we can’t wait for the next parent session. Please find our materials and recordings of our parent sessions HERE

On Wednesday 14th October, Year 9 students brought their classroom learning to life through an interactive workshop with The National Archives: Posted to the Front: A Soldier’s Journey Through the First World War.

An actor portraying soldier Thomas Cecil Parker shared his journey from recruitment to life on the Western Front, recounting his wartime experiences, injury and medical evacuation back to Britain. Students questioned him about his experiences, drawing on their knowledge of the First World War to explore the challenges soldiers faced.

The workshop offered a memorable personal perspective on the conflict, deepening students’ understanding of the human impact of war. Our visiting actor praised Etone students for their insightful questions, excellent engagement and exemplary conduct throughout the session.

On Tuesday our Centaur House Assembly had a very special visitor. Hazel, from our House charity, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire Charity, came in to celebrate the achievements of the Big Tea back in June.

Raising over £400 Hazel was able to accept the cheque and thank the school and House for all of the support we have provided in the past 8 years.

This October, the History Department has organised a number of activities to recognise the significance of Black History Month. This year’s theme, 'Honouring Our Communities', invites us to recognise the individuals whose everyday contributions shape, support and sustain Black life across the United Kingdom.

In Assemblies, pupils have learned about British-Nigerian Professor David Olusoga, and his book 'Black and British: A Forgotten History', which explores the often overlooked history of Black people in Britain, from Roman times to the present day. They have also learned about the impact of the 1948 Windrush generation, and how many migrants from the Caribbean contributed to the UK's post-war economy. 

Pupils have also completed a BHM research homework activity, which looks at the contributions of Black people to the British Armed Forces. 

In lessons, pupils have completed a lesson activity around photograph sources, through the work of Black photographer, Neil Kenlock, who captured the experiences of Black people in Britain through the 1960s and beyond. 

Our Student Careers Ambassadors recently took part in an engaging training session delivered by the Warwickshire Careers Hub, helping them prepare for their important role in supporting careers education across Etone College. The training explored what it means to be a Careers Ambassador, the impact they can have on other students, and how they can help strengthen our school careers programme. 

During the session, students learned about the nationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks, which provide the framework for high-quality careers education in schools. They discussed how careers activities can benefit students and explored ways they can help promote opportunities and encourage greater engagement with careers events throughout the year. 

Students also explored the wide range of pathways available after school, considering different employers, jobs, qualifications and career routes. Through practical activities and discussions, they reflected on how careers education can support young people in making informed decisions about their futures

A key focus of the training was leadership development. Ambassadors discussed what makes an effective leader and considered how their new role will help them develop valuable leadership skills while representing the student voice within the careers programme.

The session also provided an opportunity for students to identify and develop employability skills that employers value most. They reflected on their strengths and created personal action plans to improve areas such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, creativity, initiative, emotional intelligence, project management and time management.

By the end of the programme, our Careers Ambassadors will have gained valuable knowledge and experience in leadership and careers education that can support future applications to sixth form, college, apprenticeships and employment. They will also play a key role in helping to shape and improve the careers experiences available to all students at Etone College.

We would like to thank all of our Careers Ambassadors for their enthusiasm and commitment. We look forward to seeing them support upcoming careers events, share opportunities with their peers, and help inspire fellow students to think positively about their futures.

"Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow"

As part of World Food Day, pupils will explore the importance of food sustainability and how we can help create a better food future. They will learn about food waste and how innovative farming techniques, such as vertical farming and smart farming technology, could help produce food more efficiently while protecting the environment.

The key message is that small changes can make a big difference. Pupils will consider how everyday actions, such as reducing food waste, storing food correctly and making sustainable food choices, can help protect our planet and ensure food is available for future generations.

This morning, our Year 12 students welcomed representatives from the University of Warwick for an informative assembly exploring the range of access programmes available to support their future university and career aspirations.

Students were introduced to three exciting opportunities: Warwick Scholars, Pathways to the Professions and mA*ths Online. These programmes aim to widen participation in higher education and provide valuable experiences, including university taster sessions, work experience placements, mentoring, academic support and guidance with UCAS applications.

The assembly also highlighted the potential benefits of participating, including reduced university entry requirements, financial support and opportunities to experience university life first-hand. Students were encouraged to explore the eligibility criteria and application processes, particularly for programmes supporting careers in law, engineering, banking and finance.

A huge thank you to the University of Warwick for delivering such an insightful session and helping our students recognise the opportunities available to them as they begin planning their next steps beyond Sixth Form.

Our Year 11 pupils received their Class of 27 badges this week. The exclusive, money can’t buy design is the symbol of the hard work and devotion our pupils in Year 11 show each and every day. With mock exams under full swing the determination and drive has never been more important!

We are so pleased to see our pupils wearing theirs with immense pride, an important theme from our Personal Development programme.

Keep it up Year 11 we are so proud of you!