Shifnal school celebrates 'good' Ofsted rating

Idsall School in Shifnal, has been praised for its good teaching and safeguarding by school's watchdog Ofsted. It is the third consecutive good report the school has received over the last nine years.

Headteacher Pete Bourton said: "I feel it reflects the positive moves we have been making and confirms that we are a good school.

"This reflects the dedication of our staff and the nurturing atmosphere of our school.”

Read the full Ofsted report on Idsall School here

In the report, which was published on June 26, it described how a recent questionnaire filled out by staff members showed how the school had improved and staff felt supported.

It added that staff felt proud to work for Idsall School, despite previous challenges in a number of key subjects, and that the dedication of its staff members and understanding of the children in the school contributed to the school's "Good" status.

Ofsted inspectors also described the school as being "orderly", "calm" and "well managed".

Mr Bourton added: "The students are making fantastic progress and they are doing that because of the very high standard of teaching and learning in the school.”

Ofsted felt that the school's weekly personal, social and health education (PHSE) lessons, supplemented by assemblies contribute to several aspects of pupils’ "spiritual, moral,social and cultural education".

The report added: "Leaders have ensured that the programme prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain.

"Senior leaders and other leaders at the school have a shared vision and have convincingly demonstrated determination and capacity to improve the school.

"The student support base provides valuable intervention for groups of pupils and is used for academic support as well as developing self-esteem."

The report said that the school took an "open and self critical approach" to recent exam results, despite results being on par with what is expected by other pupils "with similar starting points", and recognised that a "number of improvements" can still be made.

Ofsted inspectors detailed that "teachers do not always match the learning activities to the needs of individual pupils and groups of pupils".

The report addressed the issue of absence among vulnerable pupils that often had "too long" off.