‘Outstanding’ Ofsted for Exhall Grange
Exhall Grange Specialist School and Science College has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors.
The school in Easter Way, Ash Green, was given top marks after a visit from Government inspectors last month. It was among the first schools to be inspected under new Ofsted guidelines.
Exhall Grange Specialist School and Science College is a special educational needs school which educates pupils aged from two to 19.
The inspectors noted that the school makes “an impressive difference to the lives of its pupils and students” and that “pupils develop extremely well academically and personally and this is why pupils’ achievement and enjoyment of learning are outstanding”.
The report said that pupils’ commitment is demonstrated through high attendance rates and excellent behaviour, there is a high level of participation in sport and physical education, and the children are superb ambassadors for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties in the community.
Inspectors said that pupils make excellent progress from their starting points through high quality support, guidance and care and effective teaching. They highlighted the fact that social, moral and cultural development is excellent and many parents express gratitude for the difference the school makes to their children’s learning and personal development, saying that they come on in ‘leaps and bounds’.
The report added: “As pupils move through the school they are exceedingly well prepared for life ahead having achieved tremendously in improving their mobility and communication skills, while gaining independence, excellent behaviour and maturity.”
The inspection took place in February under a new, more demanding, framework which will become statutory for all schools from September 2009.
Headteacher John Truman said: “We are delighted that the inspectors have once again judged the overall effectiveness of the school to be ‘outstanding’, awarding us top grades in almost all of their judgements. The report provides a wonderful endorsement of the quality of education and care which we provide.
“The inspectors stressed that because the new inspection grades are much more exacting, an ‘outstanding’ judgement in this inspection represents further improvement on the same outcome in 2006. I congratulate all members of the school community who can feel justifiably proud of this outcome.”