A BASINGSTOKE secondary school has become the first in Hampshire to be graded as “good” by Ofsted under the new inspection framework.

Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College was visited by a team of inspectors on February 1 and 2.

Ofsted changed its framework for inspecting schools in January 2012, making it tougher for schools to achieve “good” and “outstanding”.

The report, published on February 27, said: “As a result of strong and improving leadership at all levels, student outcomes and the quality of teaching have improved significantly since the previous inspection when overall effectiveness was judged to be ‘satisfactory’.”

The report said the improvements in achievement were mainly down to teaching being “more consistently good.”

The ninspection team did note there were few examples of outstanding teaching, and in a “small minority” of lessons “not all students are always fully challenged by the work.” It asked the school, in Wessex Close, to increase the proportion of outstanding teaching by July next year.

Ken Bush, lead inspector, reported that since the previous inspection, behaviour has “improved markedly and is now good.”

He added: “Exclusions from the school, which in the past had been high, together with other reported incidents of poor behaviour, have decreased significantly.”

The report said GCSE results in most subjects are improving, while in art and science, the 2011 results were “well above average”.

In subjects where progress is slower, Mr Bush said school leaders are “intervening vigorously”.

He added: “The progress of students who speak English as an additional language is exceptional.”

The report said staff have “consistently high expectations for all students” and pupils “demonstrate great pride in their school and a determination to do well.”

During the inspection, 42 lessons were observed, taught by 33 teachers.

All areas of the school, which has 665 pupils, were graded as “good” including achievement, teaching, leadership, and behaviour.

Betty Elkins, headteacher, said she was “thrilled” with the report, and added: “Everyone at Cranbourne – staff, students, governors and parents – have worked so hard and it is wonderful when external education experts recognise what we have all achieved together.

“I am very pleased with the findings, but the team here at Cranbourne will continue with our mission to improve the education and life chances for all our students.”

Paul Clasper, chairman of governors, added: “Ofsted inspections are nerve-wracking for everyone, but provide a valuable benchmark. Cranbourne is officially a good school – we will use the report to make it outstanding.”

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller visited Cranbourne following the Ofsted report, and said the Ofsted findings “recognise the important progress made over the last three years.

“Priority has been given to the quality of teaching in the school, which is so important in ensuring that students fulfil their potential.”