Stalham High School handed 'must do better' notice

ED FOSS

11 March 2010

A Norfolk high school has been handed a 'must do better' notice to improve by Ofsted inspectors, which is one step short of special measures.

But staff, parents and students at Stalham High School have also been told efforts to change for the better since the arrival of a new headteacher a year ago meant the school was “beginning to improve quickly”.

The overall effectiveness of the 505 pupil school was marked as inadequate by reporting inspector Ian Seath.

He said standards were well below the national average both in the proportion of students gaining five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C and in the proportion who gain the highest grades A* and A.

Significant improvement was required in relation to students' progress and attainment. And the governing body had “not effectively held the school to account for poor performance, and not monitored it sufficiently well”.

But the specialist humanities school had satisfactory teaching, behaviour and learning.

And care, guidance and support were effective, especially for those students who found learning very difficult, while the student voice was “very well developed”.

Persistent absence had reduced from unacceptably high levels to satisfactory levels.

Mr Seath added: “The school is now beginning to improve quickly.

“There are encouraging signs of improving standards, although it is much too early for the full effects of changes to be felt and much remains to be done.”

Praising new head Melinda Derry, who took up her post in January 2009 after the retirement of John Chilvers who clocked up 16 years in charge, Mr Seath said: “The new headteacher has given the school a clear direction for improvement.

“The headteacher's understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses is excellent. Much is changing.”

The inspection noted a statement from one parent which said: “The wind of change is blowing through the school”.

Mrs Derry said she was positive both about the inspectors' comments and the future of the school.

“They recognised that the school is beginning to improve quickly.

“I am delighted that the inspectors found so much to commend in terms of school improvement.

“We have moved a long way in the course of a year and have got further to go but the school is starting to enjoy the confidence of pupils, parents and the wider community and I have no doubt it will go from strength to strength.”

All points identified for improvement by the inspection were being addressed, added Mrs Derry.