Outstanding Ofsted rating for Alcester Grammar School
Alcester Grammar School has been rated outstanding by Ofsted.
The school, which hadn’t been inspected since 2009, was visited by Ofsted in December last year and revealed the result last night (Wednesday).
It retained its overall outstanding rating with Ofsted inspectors finding it had achieved the top grading for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The school’s sixth-form provision was rated good.
Rachel Thorpe, who took over as principal last year, said: “I could not be more proud of both AGS students and staff.
“As a school, we are fully committed to providing the very best education and opportunities for all members of our community.
“I am delighted that this external visit and validation of our work has been so positive and recognises the truly special and unique school that is AGS.
“We look forward to building further on our successes in the coming months and years.”
The Ofsted report states: ‘Alcester Grammar School is a thriving and happy place. Pupils are extremely proud to be part of this highly ambitious school. Leaders have the highest expectations for their pupils. The school’s vision of ‘nurturing aspiration, achievement and opportunity for all’ permeates throughout the whole organisation.’
It adds: ‘Pupils love learning. They benefit from an exceptional curriculum. They are completely engaged in lessons and are enthusiastic learners.
‘Teaching and assessment are effective, and pupils learn well. Teachers are highly knowledgeable. They have nurtured a keen sense of curiosity in their pupils. As a result, pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enjoy their lessons very much.’
Ms Thorpe and her team were singled out for praise, with inspectors adding: ‘The new principal and senior team provide exceptional leadership. They lead by example, with sensitive and calm authority. They know what is best for their pupils. They prioritise professional development for staff so that they too can do their best. Consequently, staff are highly competent in their roles.’
The sixth-form was recognised for its a ‘very high-quality education in a broad range of subjects’ and for making sure students are very well prepared for their next stage in education, employment or training.
Jackie Gough, chair of governors, added: “I would like to congratulate everyone at the school on this excellent report.
“The school’s vision to ‘nurture aspiration, achievement and opportunity for all’ was clearly recognised by inspectors and that can be attributed to the hard work and dedication on the part of staff and students every day.
“I am very pleased for all involved that AGS has been recognised in this way”.
AGS, which has 1,324 pupils from Year 7 to 13, is south Warwickshire’s third grammar school to achieve outstanding after KES and Stratford Girls’ Grammar School were inspected last year.
