FOR the first time in its history, Huntington School has been judged Outstanding in all areas of its provision by the Schools Inspectorate OFSTED.

A total of 11 inspectors spent three days in the school collecting evidence which all pointed to the fact that Huntington is an Outstanding school.

Inspectors were especially impressed by the school’s National Research School status which has had “an extraordinary impact on teachers’ understanding of how to improve their practice”. They wrote in the report that “the school’s approach to teachers’ professional development is exceptional”.

Head teacher, John Tomsett, was delighted at the outcome of the inspection.

He said: “It has taken ten years of relentless hard work by the staff and students at Huntington to gain this Outstanding judgement.

“Creating a truly great school takes patience; they don’t just suddenly exist. You grow great teachers first who, in turn, grow a truly great school. A truly great school grows over years like an oak tree, not overnight like a mushroom.

“The combination of our teachers’ wisdom and effort, along with their evidence-based teaching, within a community which has a compassionate ethos, has resulted in our students making better than expected progress at GCSE and A-level, year-in, year-out.

“I think our work as Research School has made a huge difference. The benefits of learning from the best researchers in the world about what works best in terms of teaching and learning has been invaluable.

“What is equally important is the ethos of the school. Our staff and students embody our school’s values of Respect, Honesty and Kindness. A sense of humanity runs through our school like the words in a stick of rock.

“Every single member of our school community deserves thanks for what they have contributed to making this an Outstanding school. Our students are remarkable young people.”

“Looking forward, we are aware that we have to maintain our high standards; consequently, we want to take a brief moment to delight in the recognition by OFSTED of the quality of the education we provide for our young people, but then we want to crack on with things as normal.”

York Press:

Alison Bayliss, the chair of Governors, was equally pleased with OFSTED’s view of the school. She said: “The Outstanding judgement is down to the hard work of the staff at Huntington. It recognises their expertise and their commitment to providing the best education and care possible for our students.

“I am especially pleased for our students. They are wonderful young people who value education and work hard. Ultimately the school belongs to them and the fact they are getting such a great education is a huge cause for celebration.”

There are just two comments from inspectors about how the school can improve further: the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and reduce the number who are persistently absent, and to iron out the remaining inconsistencies in the quality of teaching by ensuring that: – teachers check carefully on the progress pupils make during lessons – pupils know what they need to do to make rapid gains in their learning.

The full Ofsted report will be available to view on the Ofsted website from Monday.