INSPECTORS have given a York school a glowing report after being impressed by pupils’ attitudes, behaviour and attendance.

Huntington School, in Huntington Road, has received an official rating of “good” in its Ofsted inspection – one below the best grade possible.

The school’s sixth-form fared even better, earning the top mark of “outstanding”.

Head teacher John Tomsett said: “I am delighted the inspection team identified how we are improving the school by creating a more welcoming, inclusive community, while maintaining our very high standards in examinations.

“I firmly believe students can thrive only if they are happy, and are taught by staff who feel valued.

“I don’t think there is any more important job than to be preparing young people for the future.

“Our students are wonderful and it is great the Ofsted report recognised their wide range of achievements. Huntington School is a very special place with outstanding staff who are now working in collaboration with our students to provide them with the very best learning experiences. It is an exciting place to work and study.”

The Ofsted report said most pupils, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities, “make outstanding progress from their starting points”.

It also said the standards students attain at the end of Key Stage 4, which includes GCSEs, “have remained consistently above average for several years”.

The report went on: “Over the last three years the school has achieved a ten per cent rise in the proportion of students gaining five or more GCSE level qualifications at A* to C, including English and mathematics.

“This placed it in the top 17 per cent of schools nationally in 2008 on this measure and every student achieved at least one GCSE or equivalent qualification at grade A* to G.”

Inspectors also praised the school for its “warm, positive and respectful” relationships between pupils and staff and its “extremely competent senior leaders”.

The report read: “Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and dedicated staff are led by an outstanding head teacher who provides strong direction and a clear sense of purpose which is extremely effectively communicated throughout the school”.


Huntington School’s strengths and weaknesses

Where the school scored highly:

• Strong pupil-staff relationships.

• Above-average standards in national tests at the end of Key Stage 4.

• Outstanding GCSE and A-level results.

• Enjoyable lessons.

• An expanded curriculum.

• Extremely competent senior leadership.

How the school can improve:

• Making sure teachers all meet the same high standard to increase progress for Years 10 and 11.

• Developing the role of tutors to provide more individualised support and mentoring for pupils.

• Involving pupils more in decision-making.