In the 2011 Ofsted inspection Driffield School & Sixth Form was classed as grade 2, 'good'. Overall effectiveness of post 16 provision was classified as grade 3, 'satisfactory'. In 2016 Headteacher Simon Jones resigned following a visit from Ofsted, after which the school was placed in 'Special Measures'. The Governing Body of the school then sought support from multi-academy trustThe Education Alliance. It converted to an academy 1 February 2017.
Description
Driffield School & Sixth Form is an 11–19 Comprehensive School with approximately 1,800 students on roll. It is part of The Education Alliance, a growing multi-academy trust, currently consisting of this school, South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College, Malet Lambert School, The Snaith School, Hunsley Primary School, North Cave Church of England Primary School and Yorkshire Wolds Teacher Training. Before converting it had had a series of deteriorating Ofsted assessments. There have been leadership changes and Ofsted found that it is s happy school where students feel safe. The school has a purpose-built Art and Technology building and a Performing Arts block. The school's North building has had a £1.2 million refurbishment that also led to energy efficiencies. The school accesses the adjacent East Riding Leisure Centre, and the school's facilities are also used by the local community outside school hours.
Academics
The five year curriculum is taught in two key stages: Key Stage 3 in Years 7, 8 and 9 and Key Stage 4 in Years 10 and 11). Students study the core subjects, English, maths and science, alongside a wide range of non-core subjects. All students at Key Stage 3 study an hour of Achieving Personal Excellence per week and these lessons focus on aspects of personal, social, health and economic education. They must also do two hours of PE. In year 9 students proceed to the extended Key Stage 4. They continue to study the core subjects and do three targeted options. All students sit GCSEs at end of year 11. Somestudents are guided into a Vocational pathway where one of their three options will be a BTEC Level 2 in Digital Information Technology, Engineering, Enterprise and Marketing, Health and Social Care or Sports Studies. The sixth form have separate facilities and a separate dining hall.
