A Brighton secondary school has been given an improved “good” rating by the official watchdog Ofsted.
Staff and students at Longhill High School, in Rottingdean, were delighted with the positive report which is due to be uploaded to the Ofsted website early next week.
Inspectors spent two days last month looking at all aspects of the school and the official report has now been sent to the school.
Having previously been rated as “requires improvement”, the school said: “The outcome is overwhelmingly positive with high praise for the school’s transformation since the arrival of head teacher Kate Williams just two years ago.”
During the two-day visit on Tuesday 18 September and Wednesday 19 September, Ofsted observed pupils and staff working in 40 lessons as well as looking at how the school was run throughout the day.
The report highlighted inspirational leadership, the good behaviour of pupils, significantly improved teaching and positive community relations.
Head teacher Kate Williams said: “This is a result we’re all very proud of. We know we’re good and now Ofsted has officially recognised this too, which is amazing.
“It’s thanks to the dedication of all involved, especially our staff. We’re also very grateful for tremendous support from families, the local community and the pupils themselves, of course.
“We are now going to build on this success and make sure everyone knows Longhill High School is a good place to be.”
The report said: “The inspirational leadership of the head teacher has resulted in the staff working together to transform the school. The school now provides a good level of education.”
The Ofsted inspectors acknowledged the hard work of the senior leadership team, highlighting that teachers now have a “renewed enthusiasm for teaching and … research new ways to inspire pupils”.
Inspectors spoke with a range of staff members and reviewed the 64 responses to the staff questionnaire. The report said that “morale is high” and that “all stakeholders recognise the transformation that has occurred in the school”.
Inspectors observed students and staff in 40 lessons as well as watching behaviour in corridors and at break and lunch times. The school has implemented a new “behaviour system” since the previous Ofsted inspection in March 2016.
The latest report confirms that the behaviour issues, which were once a legacy of the school, are now very much in the past.
Ofsted said: “Pupils’ behaviour has been transformed since the last inspection and they are now proud of their school.
“They are smart, polite and tolerant of views and differences. They recognise the many improvements and are appreciative of their teachers and the leaders of the school.”
