Lancaster school celebrates being rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted

Wednesday, 1 February 2023 10:26

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Ripley St Thomas staff and pupils are celebrating being rated as an 'outstanding' school

Staff and pupils at a Lancaster school are celebrating an 'outstanding' Ofsted report.

Ripley St Thomas Church of England School was given the highest rating of 'outstanding' by inspectors after their latest visit.

The report said "leaders and staff have created an inspirational environment" at Ripley.

Ripley rated 'outstanding' in every single category - quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.

"Pupils, and students in the sixth form, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), flourish academically, personally and spiritually," said the report.

"Pupils and students are highly articulate, self-motivated and determined to succeed. They try their very best. Pupils and students leave the school confident and exceptionally well prepared to take their place in a modern society."

Inspectors visited the school in December for the first full inspection of the school since 2011.

Until November 2020, the school was exempt from routine inspection because it was also judged as outstanding during the last visit.

“We are delighted that the inspection team recognised that our pupils and students have so many opportunities to flourish and that pupils and students thrive in an environment where behaviour is exemplary," said Catherine Walmsley, school principal.

"They benefit from very high quality pastoral care.

"I would like to thank our whole Ripley family – our dedicated staff and governors, our pupils and our parents for their support and hard work.”

Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) ranks schools as follows: 1 - Outstanding, 2 - Good, 3 - Requires improvement and 4 - Inadequate.

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