School wins highest praise from Ofsted
AN OUTSTANDING girls school has been given top marks by government inspectors who said it was a centre of excellence. An Ofsted team visited Hornsey School for Girls for one day last month and placed it in the top 11 per cent of schools
By Marijke Peters
AN OUTSTANDING girls school has been given top marks by government inspectors who said it was a centre of excellence.
An Ofsted team visited Hornsey School for Girls for one day last month and placed it in the top 11 per cent of schools in the country.
The secondary scored top marks in every category, except for the standard of learners which was said to be good.
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The report said: "The school has made excellent progress since the last inspection because it has wisely invested in a number of initiatives and capitalised on its partnership links.
"Students achieve so very well because their teachers inspire them and their personal, social and emotional skills are promoted at every opportunity.
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"These well-behaved students are rightly proud of their school and thoroughly enjoy attending."
The school has specialist status in performing arts and great emphasis is placed on improving speaking and listening skills.
Achievement at GCSE level is "significantly" above the national average and results are improving.
Headteacher Andy Yarrow said: "I am absolutely delighted with our inspection report. It's been very much down to reinforcing our high expectations at the school for behaviour, and a focus on students in terms of examinations results."
Ninety per cent of students at Hornsey School for Girls come from minority ethnic backgrounds and more than half of them speak English as their second language.
Mr Yarrow said: "It's one of the most comprehensive schools in London and we make sure everybody gets a fair crack.
"The key is in the way leaders help all of the students achieve their maximum potential, whatever their ability."
Although the report was extremely positive, the Ofsted team said there was still room for improvement in the sixth form and said the school "should ensure the teaching has a greater impact on raising standards" and "ensure the tracking and monitoring of progress in the sixth form matches the quality of that in the main school."
Mr Yarrow said proposals were in place to achieve those objectives.
Chairwoman of governors Karen Christie said: "It is important that the effort and commitment of staff and students continues in order to ensure that Hornsey not only maintains its excellent performance but improves even further."
marijke.peters@hamhigh.co.uk
