A strong learning culture and exceptional leadership have been highlighted following an Ofsted inspection at County High School.
Staff and students are celebrating after the report praised the significant progress in academic achievement – with the school ranking in the top 30% nationally and the top 17% for higher-attaining pupils securing top grades.
Ofsted inspectors noted that pupils are making excellent progress, especially in core subjects like English and mathematics, with further praise on the school leadership team’s focus on continuous improvement.
County High School’s commitment to personal development and wellbeing also secured a ‘Strong’ rating in the Ofsted report with pupils ‘talking maturely about their learning’ and developing a ‘keen sense of respect with each other’. They described the opportunities given to students as ‘highly effective’.
Proud headteacher Sally Kennedy said: “This report recognises the collective effort of our staff, pupils and families.
“We are particularly proud that our outcomes now place us among the highest-performing schools locally and nationally.
“What matters most is that our pupils feel safe, valued and ambitious – and that they leave us well prepared for their future. It is extremely pleasing to see this reflected so clearly in the inspection.”
Other areas of praise included a rich and ambitious curriculum, an ‘open and positive’ culture of safeguarding, strong attendance figures and a calm and purposeful school environment with student behaviour singled out.
Inspectors highlighted the school’s leadership team, noting that staff consistently put the welfare and success of the children first and that leaders at all levels ‘share a clear vision and moral purpose’.
These ‘high expectations’ have directly led to a rapid rise in academic standards as well as pupils having their ambitions nurtured, the report concluded.
Inspectors said: “Pupils enjoy attending this friendly and inclusive school. They describe a strong sense of community where their voices are valued and listened to. This is evident in the positive relationships between pupils and staff.”