Ofsted inspectors rate Priestlands School in North Street, Pennington, as ‘good’
A NEW Forest secondary school has been praised for its nurturing environment and rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
Priestlands School in Pennington, which teaches 1,254 pupils aged 11 to 16, was visited by inspectors in February.
A report by inspectors said the school has a welcoming and inclusive ethos and parents called the school nurturing.
The report added: “Leaders are rightly proud of the positive relationships between staff and pupils.
“Behaviour in lessons is calm and purposeful [and] bullying is rare.
“Pupils feel safe in school, and they are confident that staff will deal with issues effectively.”
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, it said, and leaders and those responsible for governance ensure the school has a strong safeguarding culture.
It said the school’s ethos is at the heart of leaders’ high aspirations for pupils, both academically and personally.
All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), follow a broad and relevant curriculum which gives them varied choices for when they leave the school.
It added: “The curriculum is ambitious from the start of year seven.
“In key stage four pupils primarily study academic courses, including those which make up the English Baccalaureate. Carefully chosen vocational options provide additional variety and depth. The curriculum in each subject is well organised.
“Leaders have clearly identified the important knowledge and skills that pupils need in order to achieve well. Teachers deliver the curriculum effectively.”
To support pupils’ wider development, leaders organise a wide range of clubs and activities, it added, enabling pupils to flourish by discovering and pursuing talents and interests outside the classroom.
Inspectors found provision for pupils’ wider development and preparation for the future was strong and through the careers programme all pupils benefit from links with a variety of employers and training providers.
Pupils are encouraged to be effective citizens by taking on responsibilities and raising money for charity, while staff are proud to work at the school.
Turning to areas the school can improve on, inspectors wrote: “Occasionally, there are inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is taught. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as well as they could.
“The conduct of a small number of pupils, particularly at social times, does not meet leaders’ high expectations.
“Leaders recognise this and are taking appropriate steps to ensure that behaviour is managed at all times.”
Priestlands has been approached for comment.