SCHOOL inspectors have praised a top-performing Worcester high for the quality of its all-round education and excellent links with the community.

An Ofsted team spent five days assessing Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School in March, more than five years after it was last inspected.

In that time the Timberdine Avenue school, off Bath Road, has picked up a number of achievement awards as well as winning specialist maths and ICT (information and communication technology) status.

The dozen inspectors were suitably impressed with the progress, describing it as a very good school with an excellent range of opportunities for pupils.

Ofsted also praised the overall quality of teaching, management of the school and pupil attitudes.

"The school strongly promotes high achievement," said the report, written by inspection leader Grace Marriott.

"The principal provides excellent leadership and, together with the staff and governors, has created a shared sense of purpose based on the school's mission statement of 'commitment to gospel values and personal achievement'.

"The improvement since the last inspection has been good and strengths reported have been maintained."

Inspectors also pointed to rising standards in English, music and "very significant" improvements in ICT provision.

However, a "very small number" of unsuccessful classes were noted, alongside some areas of the curriculum where further bolstering was needed.

"The weakness in the teaching of art has not been fully resolved," said the report.

"In mathematics and science achievement is satisfactory but has been affected by staffing difficulties."

Delighted

Overall, principal Sean Devlin, was delighted with the findings after a week-long, thorough examination of the school.

He will now draw up a future action plan alongside the board of governors.

"I'm very pleased because you never know what Ofsted are going to say and it's great to have external validation of all our efforts," said Mr Devlin.

"It reflects all the hard work of the staff and teachers, as well as support from parents, governors and the LEA.

"We are particularly pleased the report recognised our commitment to gospel values and for us, it's a case of more of the same."