Quality of teaching at Market Drayton school judged 'variable'

Ofsted inspectors said the quality of teaching at Grove School, in Market Drayton, is "variable".

The school, which has about 905 pupils, has been told it 'requires improvement' – but the report praises the work of headteacher Sonia Taylor.

Lead Ofsted inspector Martin Spoor said: "Sometimes the work set is not planned carefully enough to provide a good level of challenge for all the students in the class.

"Occasionally it is not securely based on students' prior knowledge and understanding."

Inspectors also noted that teachers' marking did not always help students to improve their work.

The report added: "In particular, students are often not given sufficient opportunity to reflect on their work and address the teacher's comments.

"Students' progress remains uneven. It is not yet strong and consistent across a wide enough range of subjects, including mathematics and science.

"A few subject leaders do not maintain high enough expectations for the planning and teaching of lessons.

"Disadvantaged students left Year 11 in 2014 on average three quarters of a grade behind other students in English, and just over a grade in mathematics."

"Compared with students nationally, they were just over a half a grade behind in English, and a grade in mathematics.

"Information supplied by the school indicates that disadvantaged students are now making stronger progress in all year groups, and have considerably narrowed the gap with students nationally."

The school was also given a 'requires improvement' ranking when it was last inspected by Ofsted in 2013. The rank is equivalent to the former term of 'satisfactory'.

This week's report praised Grove School headteacher Sonia Taylor for establishing a clear direction for the school.

Mr Spoor said: "The headteacher has set high expectations which have refocused and energised the vast majority of staff and students.

"As a result, teaching is improving and achievement is rising in the school overall, and sharply in several areas, including modern foreign languages.

"Governors are making sure that the school serves this particular community effectively.

"They are well informed, shrewd and provide a rigorous challenge to school leaders.

"The 16 to 19 study programmes are good because courses are well designed to help students achieve their aims.

"Teaching in the sixth form is consistently good.

"Leaders have reorganised the support for disabled students and those with special educational needs. As a result, these students now make good progress.

"Students' attitudes to learning are overwhelmingly positive. They behave well in lessons and during social times. Students rightly feel very safe in school."

MsTaylor said: "We are aiming to be an outstanding school in our next inspection which will be in two years' time and we are excited about building on the momentum of rapid improvement that is currently evident".