Hornsea School and Language College is celebrating after its latest Ofsted inspection ruled that it continues to be a ‘good’ school. Inspectors say the leadership team has maintained a good quality of education since the school’s previous inspection. They say headteacher Stephen Lawrence and his leaders have a clear understanding of the strengths of the school and what needs to be improved. Actions to bring about improvement are included in detailed plans linked to ambitious expectations, particularly for better pupil outcomes. Mr Lawrence has recognised the need to support some subject areas and made effective links with another good school to drive this support. The report says the governors share the head teacher’s determination and ambition for school improvement. The school has developed and supported middle leaders. A strong commitment to teacher training means the school is able to recruit good quality teachers. Determined and decisive action has been taken to improve outcomes for pupils in GCSE examinations this year. As a result gaps in attainment and progress are closing in all year groups. Progress in mathematics has improved and in the current Year 11 is above the national average. A drive for improvement in English is beginning to impact and all pupils who took the English GCSE examination in November have made at least the expected progress, with a number attaining good grades. Personal development, behaviour and welfare are described as a strength of the school, and safeguarding is effective. The report says that school leaders should now ensure that the existing good practice is shared so that teaching leads to consistently good progress in all subjects, particularly at Key Stages 4 and 5. Mr Lawrence expressed his delight for everyone connected with Hornsea School and Language College following this very positive recent Ofsted visit and subsequent report. He said he felt that, “Our students, staff, parents, carers and other stakeholders have every right to be proud of what has been said about us and the quality of education that is provided at Hornsea School and Language College.” Councillor Julie Abraham, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s portfolio holder for children, young people and education, said, “Hornsea School continues to play its part in our ambition of all East Riding children and young people attending a school that is considered by Ofsted to be good. Young people that attend the school can be confident that they are getting a good education that will prepare them well for whatever they want to do when they move into the world of further education, training or work.” Mike Furbank, the council’s head of children and young people, education and schools, was also delighted with the outcome of the inspection at Hornsea School. He said, “The current Ofsted framework represents a step change in the level of challenge. The outcome reflects the hard work of leadership in the school to maintain the momentum needed to stay good! Well done!”
March 1, 2021
