PERSHORE High School is celebrating after picking up a top report from Ofsted.

Headteacher Clive Corbett said he was delighted that the inspectors had confirmed the school’s own judgment that it was a “good school with a significant and increasing number of outstanding features”.

He said: “Inspectors have recognised the many strengths of the school’s provision, including academic achievement, care, guidance and support, healthy lifestyles, community engagement, and leadership opportunities.

“I must congratulate my staff, students and governors for helping to make the school the success that it is. Although we will never rest on our laurels, it is encouraging the inspection team shares our view that we have great potential to fulfill our aim to become outstanding in every respect over the next few years.”

The inspectors said the school provided “an excellent education in the sixth form”, giving Pershore’s 16-19 provision top marks in all sections.

“Parents rightly value all aspects of the school’s work, particularly the wide range of opportunities the school provides for their children and the high levels of commitment of the staff,” they said.

The report also included the words of a parent, who said: “The school respects and values its students, both as individuals and as members of the school and wider community.

It fosters the development of well-rounded individuals, confident, physically fit, intellectually engaged and socially responsible.”

Mr Corbett and his staff were praised by the inspectors, who said: “Much of the credit for students’ good achievement and personal development is due to strong leadership provided by the headteacher, which parents variously describe as ‘inspirational’, ‘passionate’ and ‘walking the talk’. Supported well by the senior team and staff, he provides an ambitious sense of direction for the school.”

WHAT THE INSPECTORS SAID

STAR RATINGS

Overall effectiveness: *** Effectiveness of the sixth form: **** Achievement: *** Personal development: *** Teaching: *** Curriculum: *** Care and guidance: *** Leadership: ***

WHAT THE SCHOOL DOES WELL

● Individual targets have been raised, especially in year 11, encouraging higher expectations on the part of staff and students.

● The students’ personal development is good, with some outstanding features, and is promoted well by the good level of pastoral care the school provides.

● Students enjoy being at school and make an outstanding contribution to the school and local community. They take their numerous responsibilities, such as being training school delegates, very seriously, promoting the school’s reputation very well within the local community.

● Students’ good social skills, personal development and academic achievement prepare them well for the next stage of their lives and careers.

● Standards at AS and A-level, and in vocational courses, are well above average, and have improved over the last year.

WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED

Improve achievement, particularly in key stage 4, and especially in English and mathematics, by ensuring that: ● All lessons give students good opportunities for active participation and engagement.

● Strategies to maximise examination potential, such as guiding students on the best way to answer examination questions, are used effectively.

● Pupils understand their short-term targets and use them to establish the next steps they need to take – marking provides clear guidance to students on how to improve their work.