School Right on Target

By Tony Collins

A BILLESLEY girls’ school has been given top marks by Government inspectors for the improvements it is making.

Swanshurst School, in Brook Lane, has made "good progress" since its last inspection in addressing its weaknesses and is well placed to continue improving.

The large 1,757-pupil school was visited by education watchdogs Ofsted on January 18 and 19.

Their report said Swanshurst benefited from "effective management" and strong leadership teams, adding: "Inspectors agree with their self-evaluation that this is a good and improving school."

Ofsted said more than half of pupils in the main school and three quarters in the sixth form have English as an additional language, while 39 per cent are eligible for free school meals.

But it said students make good progress by the time they reach 16. Standards at the end of Key Stages 3 and 4 have risen steadily since the time of the last inspection, with the proportion of students achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE rising significantly from 56 per cent in 2004 to 69 per cent last year.

Inspectors said Swanshurst’s specialist science status, achieved in September 2003, was also producing benefits.

The quality of education, particularly teaching, is described as good with the best teaching said to be "challenging, exciting and imaginative".

Leadership and management are also good overall. Head teacher Elaine Kenney, supported by the governing body and senior leadership team, provides a clear direction to the school.

As a result, Ofsted added, "staff morale is high and there is no doubting their determination to provide the best opportunities for the students".

Inspectors said Swanshurst makes excellent use of information and communication technology to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.

All teachers and managers make effective use of the wireless network from within each of the separate school buildings and from outside the school.