A SCHOOL has had a shining report which praises the excellent work ethic and behaviour of its pupils.

The report also highlighted Bishop Perowne CE College's strong leadership and how it leads its pupils in worship.

Compiled by the National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools Report (SIAS), which inspects church schools, it is similar to an Ofsted inspections in assessing the school's work.

The report, by schools inspector Brian Allaway, said the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the Merriman’s Hill Road site as a Church of England school was ‘outstanding’. It said: “There is a secure, friendly and hard-working community where students’ personal care and guidance is fostered extremely well within a clear Christian context. Students demonstrate confidence and maturity in their attitudes to work, to one another and to college and community responsibilities,” he said.

Mr Allaway said the strengths of the school were its ‘tangible Christian ethos promoted by headteacher and staff’, the work ethic of pupils, spiritual development, strong and productive team work involving diocesan staff, governors and clergy and the school's significant improvements in all aspects of religious education. Points he said needed to be focused on for development were to involve students in a “formal system of evaluating the impact of collective worship in order to shape future practice”.

The report marked the school’s impact on collective worship on the school community as good, the effectiveness of the religious education as outstanding, and the effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school as outstanding.

Mr Allaway also praised headteacher Julie Farr for her work. “The headteacher continues to provide a strong Christian lead to the life and work of the college. She is well supported by a committed team which upholds Christian values across all aspects of college life.

“The college promotes a strong ‘can do’ culture and this in turn leads to a positive and lively learning environment.”

Ms Farr said she was very proud of the report and her pupils who had deep regard for each other. She said: “I feel that this report is a very accurate and truthful one, and reflects the school and our ethos, and the good education that Bishop Perowne offers its students and the skills we provide.”