College earns top marks in milestone year

Principal at Hathershaw College, Dave McEntee.

AN OFSTED inspection has proved the icing on the cake for Hathershaw College's 60th anniversary celebrations.

The Bellfield Avenue secondary school has been rated as good (grade two) by the education watchdog after making "significant improvements".

This is up from requires improvement (grade three) at its last inspection in January 2014.

Ofsted found that pupils' attainment has improved and they now make good progress in the majority of subjects, including English, maths and science.

They start in year seven with typically well below-average attainment, but reach standards that are at least average by the end of year 11.

Children with special education needs or a disabilities, including those with hearing impairments who attend the school's specialist hearing resource centre, make good progress because of of the high quality support on offer, said the inspectors.

The achievement of the brightest pupils is also improving in most subjects and disadvantaged pupils are catching up with others in the school.

Teaching is consistently good and Ofsted added: "Teachers know the pupils well and plan interesting lessons that encourage them. They follow the school's marking and feedback policy well, which ensures pupils know what to do to improve their work.

"Pupils behave well and enjoy school.

"This is reflected in the fact that attendance is high when compared with that in other schools"

Dave McEntee, who was appointed principal in September, was praised for his "excellent leadership" and very high aspirations for pupils.

Amazing

"Comments from staff about his 'amazing vision' are typical," said the inspectors who found high staff morale.

They concluded: "Leaders and governors have very high expectations and a determination to ensure that pupils achieve well and have the best possible experience in school

"They tackled the weaknesses identified at the last inspection quickly and robustly and have brought about significant improvements in teaching and learning as a result."

Hathershaw is coming to the end of its 60th anniversary year and Mr McEntee said: "We are all really delighted that Ofsted has now officially confirmed that Hathershaw is a good school. In reality, the judgment hasn't come as any surprise to me, given the amount of commitment from all staff and students.

"I am really proud to be the principal at such an exciting time in Hathershaw's history and it seems really fitting that our 60th anniversary celebrations have culminated in such a positive way."