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Padraic Finn |
Pimlico School progress gets inspectors’ gold star
Ofsted report praises teachers and pupils ahead of academy switch
STANDARDS at Pimlico School are improving, according to Ofsted inspectors.
During a two-day visit in March, inspectors found the school to be on the up as it prepares to become a £25 million academy in September.
The report commended teachers and students for the strides made since the school was deemed failing in December 2006.
The report said: “Standards throughout the school are rising. This is due to improvements in leadership and management and the rigorous use of data to inform teachers’ planning and teaching that is catering for the individual needs of students.
“Progress made by students confirms that achievement continues to improve at a satisfactory rate.”
The report comes as the campaign to keep Pimlico comprehensive shows no sign of cooling. Teachers and parents lobbied outside the Department for Children, Schools and Families last week after the school’s fate was finally sealed last month.
Although standards at the 1,400-pupil school are low compared to the national average, the report is seen as a significant step since Pimlico was placed in special measures just over a year ago.
It singled out improvements in behaviour, lesson planning and the contribution of new teachers for special mention.
The report said: “Students speak positively about the stability in staffing and the change in the ethos of the school, which they feel is more conducive to learning. Students are increasingly proud of their progress. They know their targets and what they need to do to move up to the next level.”
It added: “Newly qualified teachers are making a good contribution to the progress of students are making. They are working with increased confidence in the school due to the nurturing support they are receiving.”
But inspectors say there is still need for improvement, especially in maths, where only 31 per cent of pupils are achieving grades A*-C.
Padraic Finn, a teacher at the school and Westminster representative of the NUT, said: “It [the report] comes as no surprise and is a tribute to the teachers. Standards were rising when the school was deemed to be failing, which we disagreed with. The year that we were put into special measures was our best GCSE year. Anything is an improvement if a school is judged to be failing.”
The council have hailed the report as a success.
Deputy chief executive David Hawker said: “Overall, this is a positive report from Ofsted. Pimlico has made significant strides since the last inspection, but there is still work to do to ensure pupils receive the best possible education at the school. Westminster will continue to work alongside the school to help raise standards even further.” |
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