Otley school is praised for making good progress (From Wharfedale Observer)

Prince Henry's Grammar School has been officially ranked as 'good'

12:40pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Claire Lomax

An “exceptionally well led” Otley school is celebrating achieving a glowing Ofsted report.
Prince Henry's Grammar School has been officially ranked as Good under the new, tougher inspection criteria introduced last year.
Inspectors, who visited in February, praised the high and “rising trend of attainment” in exams and also singled out the behaviour and safety of students as “outstanding”.
The leadership and management of Prince Henry's was judged exceptional, too.
The report said: “The quality of teaching is good and so students achieve well. At age 16, students' attainment is significantly above the national average in most subjects including English, mathematics and science.
“It is rising year on year.
“Students are very proud of the school and are excellent ambassadors for it.
“Leaders and governors are highly ambitious for the school and its students.
“The headteacher has communicated a clear vision centred on improving teaching and students' outcomes and demonstrates an exemplary and successful drive towards bringing this about.
“She is ably supported by the senior leaders and, increasingly, other leaders.”
Varying levels of achievement across different subjects and classes was listed as one of two reasons why Prince Henry's wasn't awarded an Outstanding rating.
The other was that “the quality of teaching is not consistently effective. In a minority of lessons students do not learn as well as they do in the best.”
Headteacher Janet Sheriff, in her letter to parents announcing the inspection’s findings, said: “The report is one of the most positive school reports written since September, 2012, when a new, much more challenging inspection regime was introduced.
“The ability to secure such a report is a real credit to Prince Henry’s staff, governors and students.
“The report also identifies areas where we can improve in order to secure outstanding provision overall.
“The inspectors were quite clear that school leaders, including the governing body, are taking the correct steps to secure continued improvement.”
Ms Sheriff also thanked parents and carers who had given their views through Ofsted’s online Parent View survey.
She said: “The high level of support we receive from so many of our parent/carers on a day-to-day basis is also very much appreciated.
“Without this we would not be able to work so effectively. I look forward to a continuation of this strong partnership so we are able to build on our impressive achievements and secure further improvement for Prince Henry’s.”