A WINCHESTER secondary school is celebrating its latest Ofsted report after narrowly missing out on maintaining its ‘Outstanding’ record.
Kings’ School in Romsey Road was rated ‘Good’ overall, despite achieving outstanding in three of the four categories examined.
The report, published this month, is the first at the 1,800-pupil school under the new inspection framework.
The secondary school has maintained an ‘Outstanding’ record for the past 20 years, with inspections in 2014, 2009 and 2005, but headteacher Dr James Adams was still pleased with the ‘Good’ report.
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Dr Adams said: “The report highlights many of the things we are proud of at the school. Placed 15th in England for pupil attainment at state schools, as listed in the recent Times Parent Power School Guide, this report highlights the reasons behind our success.
“We were rated as outstanding in 21 out of 22 criteria. Only one criterion was rated ‘good’ which affected the overall grading.
“Despite narrowly missing out on an outstanding rating, we are truly delighted with the positive feedback we received from Ofsted.
“To read how our students demonstrate extremely positive attitudes to education and have commitment to their studies is a reflection of our excellent teachers in all years. The report also acknowledged that the teaching staff have impressive subject knowledge.
“Our students really work hard and buy in to our values, culture and ethos, as do parents and our parent teacher association.
“The report also noted that we have implemented a range of strategies across the school to help our pupils from low-income families and those who have free school meals.
“It mentioned the impact of these changes, but we know that we must continue to help them and ultimately improve their exam results. And we take on board the recommendations.
“I am indebted to our fantastic staff who have worked tirelessly for our pupils, since the disruption of the Covid lockdowns. I am delighted that their hard work, passion and care for our pupils and their families has been recognised.”
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Inspectors praised the school’s leadership, behaviour, curriculum and additional activities, inclusivity and achievement.
The report read: “Pupils feel incredibly proud to be a part of the Kings’ School community. They recognise the very high expectations of their achievement and behaviour. They work hard to meet these, knowing that they have the full support of staff.
“Pupils’ behaviour is impeccable. They are taught to do ‘the right thing at the right time for the right reasons’. This ethos is clear to see around the school. Pupils treat each other with high levels of respect.
“The exceptional range of extra-curricular activities available to pupils embodies the school’s aim of ‘discovering brilliance in everyone’. It includes everything from rugby and hockey, to crochet and watercolour painting. The offer is highly inclusive, and there are ways for all pupils to get involved.”
Guidelines for improvement included following through on plans to better support disadvantaged pupils, particularly those eligible for free school meals.
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