A HIGH Wycombe school has been praised for helping students become 'very successful academically' in its latest inspection by the education watchdog.
Staff and pupils at John Hampden Grammar School in Marlow Hill are celebrating after achieving an Outstanding rating by Ofsted.
Inspectors visited the school across two days on September 14 and 15.
READ MORE: Bucks woman with rare skin condition embraces embraces makeup free look
The school has not been inspected since May 2008 as it was previously rated as Outstanding at its previous inspection.
Inspectors judged the school based on four categories: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, Sixth Form Provision. The school rated Outstanding in all four areas.
Tracey Hartley, headteacher, said: “We are extremely proud of this achievement which reflects the hard work of the staff, the exemplary character of our students and the commitment of our parents to the school’s ethos and values.
"We are committed to giving our students the best possible chance in life and to share the opportunities we have with our wider community.”
In the latest Ofsted report, inspectors found how pupils "behave exceptionally well and display exemplary character" getting on with each other and staff.
ALSO READ: High Wycombe Indian takeaway is given a ZERO hygiene rating
"There is a genuine respect for those with different backgrounds and lifestyles. Pupils feel safe in school; they know that they can speak to someone if they are worried or experience any of the rare instances of bullying, and are confident about the school’s response."
As well as this, staff have been praised for designing a 'rich and ambitious curriculum' for all year groups, including for those with special educational needs (SEND).
Lessons are also free of "low level disruption and pupils make the most of learning time', it has been revealed.
The report said: "Leaders have deliberately planned sequences of lessons so that learning is sustained, but also so that pupils regularly complete work far beyond what would typically be expected for their age. There is also a rich culture of reading.
"Pupils benefit from a highly effective programme from Year 7 to Year 13 that includes relationships and sex education and British values, but also a wealth of leadership opportunities. For example, sixth-form students enjoy designing and delivering assemblies with staff."
According to the Ofsted report, safeguarding is 'strong at the school' with staff trained well to help students in times of need and there is a #BeMore' culture to encourage pupils to take part in extra-curricular activities too.
The report said: "The school’s culture is summarised in its ethos statement: ‘#BeMore’. Pupils and staff embrace this principle in all areas of school life. This means that pupils and students are ambitious, confident, happy and kind.
"The ‘#BeMore’ culture means that pupils are equally enthusiastic about the extensive range of extra-curricular opportunities on offer, and many take leadership roles in these. Pupils and students feel that their contributions and points of view are valued.
"Pupils are proud of their school and, as one sixth-form student said: ‘This school shapes us and we shape them.’
Suggestions for improvement haven't been made in the report.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here