Girls Showing Form in Class

By Catherine Lillington

A BIRMINGHAM secondary school has been praised by government inspectors for offering a wide choice of subjects for pupils.

Turves Green Girls’ School and Technology College has had its Key Stage 4 curriculum highlighted by Ofsted as an example of good practice.

It comes as Ofsted publishes a new report on the curriculum for 15 and 16-year-olds.

Inspectors found the Northfield school offered four vocational GCSEs, BTEC foundation, college provision in hairdressing, business construction, a Young Enterprise scheme and annual enterprise days. The school, which has taken advantage of Specialist Technology College status, achieved second place in the national Young Enterprise awards last year by winning all of the categories in the Midlands.

Miriam Rosen, Ofsted’s director of education, said: "Greater numbers of schools are offering a more diverse range of qualifications, particularly vocational subjects, which are reengaging students in learning and increasing their motivation.

"I congratulate the headteacher and staff at Turves Green for their success in providing a broad curriculum at Key Stage 4 that meets the needs of pupils."

Sara Brehony, head teacher, said: "We are delighted that the work of the school has been recognised in this report.

"As a technology college, part of the school’s vision has been to empower young women, of whatever background, to achieve both at the highest level and in career areas not traditionally pursued by women.

"The pupils’ repeated success in young enterprise competitions, in which they have designed and manufactured their own products, is a testimony to this.

"The expansion of vocational courses has led to higher levels of achievement, with more pupils continuing their education post-16."

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