School praised for teaching in Ofsted report

Stratton Upper School was praised for its improving results in English and maths, improvements in teaching and the strength of the relationship between students and staff.

The Ofsted report mentioned the way students show ‘high levels of respect for staff and each other’ and noted ‘poor behaviour in lessons is very rare.’

But although it acknowledged the school’s standards in science were improving, it said more work still needed to be done.

The school was inspected on April 23 and 24. A previous Ofsted inspection rated the school as ‘requiring improvement.’

Headteacher Rob Watson said: “We knew that we were likely to be judged a ‘good’ school, but as the inspectors started to discuss their findings we realised the team really appreciated all the fantastic things that happen here.

“Even so, we felt sure that their verbal praise would somehow become more measured, more sedate, in the written report.

“In fact, the report is completely in line with everything they said when they were on site.

“It represents a tremendous achievement for all the staff, governors and students of the school.”

He added the school agreed with the report’s analysis that improvements in GCSE science should be hastened.

“The science department have been struggling against poor resources for a number of years, but we now have a strong and dedicated team of teachers and of course, the prospect of a multi-million pound science facility being built over the next 18 months,” Mr Watson said.

“We accept this advice, and we are pleased that the team recognised our success at A-level, as the science inspector remarked ‘a department that regularly send students to train as doctors, dentists and vets is doing something right!’

“We are very confident that plans are already well in hand to ensure science education at Stratton will be exemplary in a very short period of time.”

Hundreds turned out to the farm day last weekend with craft stalls, a barbecue day and a sale of fresh produce.