STUDENTS and staff at Pershore High School are celebrating another successful Ofsted report.

Inspectors rated the Station Road school good overall during its first assessment since converting to an academy, grading the safety and behaviour of pupils as outstanding.

They said standards among students by the end of year 11 were above average, and leaders and staff responded swiftly to the below expected examination results in English in 2012, with learners’ progress having improved over the year.

Teaching was considered to be good with some outstanding practice and the sixth form was rated outstanding. Inspectors praised pupils, describing them as polite, courteous and extremely supportive of each other.

It was noted they were able to choose from a wide variety of subjects and courses, with a wide choice of activities outside the classroom.

Members of the governing body were said to be “skilled and knowledgeable”, providing support and challenge to school leaders, and making a valuable contribution to the school’s improvement. In order to improve, the school needs to improve the proportion of outstanding teaching, by making sure that all teachers carefully check students’ understanding during lessons so that they are moved on to new tasks at the right time.

They should also ensure students are given enough opportunities to discuss their learning during lessons and that teachers’ marking and feedback are of consistently high quality so that students understand exactly what they need to do to improve.

Headteacher Clive Corbett said: “I am delighted that the inspection team agreed with our positive self-evaluation.

“I am privileged to lead such a talented and committed group of staff, but I am especially proud of the way in which our students conducted themselves.

“This is typical of their conscientious and enthusiastic involvement in school life on a daily basis.”

FACTFILE

About the school Pershore High School is larger than the average-sized secondary school. The school converted to academy status in July 2011. When its predecessor school, also known as Pershore High School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good.

Report findings

What the school does well

* Students make good progress and achieve well. Standards by the end of Year 11 are above average.

* Leaders and staff have responded swiftly to the below expected examination results in English in 2012. Students’ progress has improved over the year and their achievement is now good.

* Teaching is good with some outstanding practice. Teachers know their subjects well and are skilled in using questioning to extend students’ learning.

* The sixth form is outstanding. Students make rapid progress from their starting points. They benefit from a wide choice of courses that appeal to their interests.

* Students’ behaviour is excellent. They are polite and courteous and are extremely supportive of each other. They gain tremendous confidence through participation in the school’s programmes to build their leadership skills.

* Leaders have worked successfully to bring about improvements in the quality of teaching. The schoo* has effective and well organised systems for managing teaching and learning.

* Students are able to choose from a wide variety of subjects and courses. There is an excellent choice of activities outside the classroom and these enrich students’ learning.

* Governance is strong. Members of the governing body are skilled and knowledgeable, providing support and challenge to school leaders. They make a valuable contribution to the school’s ongoing improvement.

What it can do better

* There is not enough outstanding teaching to make sure that all students make rapid progress. At times, teachers do not check students’ understanding thoroughly enough during lessons, so that students move on to new tasks before they are ready.

* Students are not always given enough opportunities to discuss their learning during lessons.

* The quality of marking and feedback varies. Not all staff have fully adopted the school’s marking policy and, as a result, students are not always clear about precisely how they can improve their work.