A secondary school in Northamptonshire has become the first in the county to be rated “outstanding” in the new Ofsted framework.
Sponne School, in Towcester, has completed a remarkable improvement from February 2010, when it was rated “satisfactory” after a visit by representatives from the Government’s education watchdog.
The new Ofsted inspection framework has been toughened up in many areas and to get “outstanding”, schools need to have high-achieving pupils as well as teaching of the highest quality in all departments.
The report, of the Ofsted visit on October 2 and 3, stated the “quality of teaching is outstanding and has shown rapid improvement”.
Robert Jones, lead inspector, said: “Achievement is outstanding.
“Students consistently make better-than-expected progress and the attainment of all students is rising.
“The quality of teaching is outstanding and has shown rapid improvement. Lessons are engaging, varied and fun. Students make good progress in lessons because they are fully involved in their own learning through group work, with ample opportunities to discuss issues with each other.”
Headteacher Jamie Clarke said: “We are absolutely delighted with the judgement. This is great news for pupils and staff and people in Towcester. We believe the teaching overall has always been good and the students performed really well in their summer exams.”
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