A Suffolk secondary school has welcomed the glowing verdict from education inspectors as testament to its ‘journey of improvement’ over recent years.
Thomas Gainsborough School (TGS) in Great Cornard, near Sudbury, earned positive grades across the board from Ofsted, in its first report under the regulator’s new inspection format.
Published on Tuesday, the report rated the school in Wells Hall Road as outstanding in three areas – behaviour and attitudes, personal development and sixth-form provision.
Headteacher Helen Yapp with Kenny Alexander, director of sixth form. Picture: Mark Westley
There were also two further good ratings for education, and leadership and management.
It was the first inspection of TGS since Ofsted began assessing schools across five distinct categories, rather than the old format of publishing a single overall grade.
Reacting to the report’s findings, headteacher Helen Yapp said: “The Ofsted report is testimony to the journey of improvement the school has been on.
“We are delighted the inspectors captured and understood what a special place Thomas Gainsborough School is.
“We would like to thank all of our stakeholders for their support over the years and in the years to come.”
The report, which followed a two-day inspection in November, highlighted the school’s culture of helping students succeed academically and socially, from Year 7 to Year 13.
It also hailed the work to ensure strong reading levels among pupils.
“This culture is clear in the way in which pupils respond positively to the expectations placed upon them,” the report reads.
“As a result, pupils behave in a manner of which they can be proud.
“Equally, their academic performance reflects the school’s value of ‘excellence for each, for all’.”
Inspectors also praised the effectiveness of the sixth form, saying students were ‘captivated by their subjects and their experiences’.
“High-profile visiting speakers expand the students’ horizons,” the report added. “Much of the enrichment in the sixth form is student-led.
“Fund-raising, meeting with local business leaders, editing the school magazine and leading mentoring in the lower school are all part of the sixth-form experience.”