High rating for secondary school

A team of five Ofsted inspectors gave Robert May’s School, in West Street, an “outstanding” rating – the highest score possible.

The rating means Robert May’s School, which received a “good” rating in its previous inspection in 2006, is now the top Ofsted-rated secondary school in The Gazette area.

Head teacher Sue Rafter said: “We are really pleased with the result.

“For us, the ‘outcomes for students’ category was particularly significant in that it highlighted the overall development of students, and not just their academic achievements.”

She added: “We will not be resting on our laurels. The Robert May’s learning community is always looking for ways to improve in its desire to provide the best for the young people in our care.”

The school scored “outstanding” ratings in 11 of the 23 categories assessed in the inspection, and received a “good” rating – the second highest out of four possible ratings – in all other categories.

The overall grade means the school is in the top 15 per cent schools in the country, according to Ofsted.

Lead inspector Peter Gale wrote: “Robert May’s School provides an outstanding educational experience, clearly focused on the rounded development of the whole student.

“Students enter the school with above-average prior attainment and make good progress in their time in the school to attain high standards.

“Care, support and guidance for all students are at the heart of everything that it does.”

He also praised the students’ behaviour and added that teaching is strongest in science, humanities and modern foreign languages, but could be improved in mathematics.

The inspection, carried out on February 11 and 12, was part of an Ofsted pilot scheme for testing schools, with a greater focus both on what goes on in the classroom and on feedback from parents and students at the school.

Mrs Rafter said: “I think what this rating does is recognise the very hard work that we have been doing in the past few years to make the school outstanding.”