Rossendale Free Press

Ofsted praise is great for Alder Grange

- Jon.macpherson@men-news.co.uk @JonMacMEN

JON MACPHERSON

PUPILS and staff are celebratin­g after their school was given a glowing report by Ofsted.

Alder Grange School and Sixth Form in Rawtenstal­l has been praised for its excellent leadership, pupil behaviour and the progress made by students.

After achieving their best GCSE results in four years and an increase in A and A* grades, the school has now been given an overall ‘ good’ rating by inspectors.

Headteache­r David Hampson said he was ‘extremely proud’ of the result and paid tribute to the hard work of the students and staff, and support from parents.

He said: “Ofsted’s inspectors had a lot of positives and praise for the school. They liked what they saw and praised the impeccable behaviour of pupils.

“They also noted the ‘excellent’ relationsh­ips between pupils and staff, with pupils telling inspectors how much they appreciate the support they receive from their teachers.

“The school has been graded a ‘ good’ school and now has been at least a good school since 1993, something we are extremely proud of.

“The framework Ofsted used for this inspection has changed significan­tly since the previous inspection in May 2013, so we are delighted to have maintained a ‘good’ grading and to have made notable improvemen­ts since the last inspection.”

Ofsted scored the school as ‘good’ in all five key areas including leadership, teaching quality, pupil behaviour and developmen­t, pupil outcomes and the 16 to 19 study programmes.

In her report, lead inspector Helen Gaunt said: “Pupils behave very well in lessons and during the less structured times of the school day. They are polite, courteous and respectful. Pupils are very friendly and welcoming to visitors.

“Teachers have good subject knowledge, which ●● Year seven pupils (from top) Ellie Ralphs, Mackie Heywood, Sofia Sambile and Ainsley Firth-Powell celebrate the ‘good’ rating by Ofsted they use to inspire and enthuse pupils and to put pupils’ learning into context. Teachers often use questionin­g to encourage deeper thinking and enable pupils to get stuck into discussion and debate.”

Ofsted also said that the Calder Road School is making big strides with their sixth form which opened in September 2010 and highlighte­d the school’s clear vision for excellence, culture of ambition, sense of community.

The governors were also commended as ‘suitably experience­d and skilled’.

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