Marked improvement for Trinity School

Ofsted inspectors rate Trinity as "good", just over two years after it was placed on the National Challenge list

A NEWBURY school which was placed on the Government's National Challenge list just over two years ago has received praise from Ofsted inspectors, who recently rated it “good”.

Trinity School, in Love Lane, slipped below the Government's 'floor target' of 30 per cent of pupils achieving grades A* to C in at least five subjects, including maths and English, for GCSE exams in 2008.

In August 2008 Trinity was placed on the Government's list of schools instructed to improve or risk closure.

But after an Ofsted inspection last month (January) it was deemed “good” overall, with 29 out of 31 areas also rated “good”, and one area was even graded “outstanding” for the extent to which the pupils feel safe.

Ofsted inspector, Christine Raeside, said: "The progress made by students from their below-average starting points is good and at times outstanding, but attainment, although improving rapidly, remains below the national average.

"Teaching has improved since the last inspection and the large majority, including that in the sixth form, is now good, with some that is outstanding."

She added: "The school has a good capacity to improve further.

"The executive and associate headteachers and senior leaders, supported by an increasingly strong group of middle leaders (heads of curriculum area and heads of year), convey an ambitious vision for improvement and have been effective in eradicating previous underperformance."

Associate headteacher of the school, Charlotte Wilson, said: "I am delighted that the inspectors recognised the tremendous hard work from students and staff, and the accelerated progress made by all.

"I am particularly delighted they recognised that the school is a ‘well-ordered, purposeful and safe community where students feel valued as individuals and challenged to achieve the best they can'.

She said she was also pleased that the report highlighted pupils' good behaviour in lessons, and improved attendance.

In December 2008, the headteacher of Kennet School, Thatcham, Paul Dick, took over as executive headteacher at Trinity.

This week he said of the markedly improved Ofsted report: "I congratulate Mrs Wilson, and the whole team at the school, students, teachers, other staff and parents.

"Trinity is a shining example of what great teamwork and a sharp focus on high standards can realise.

"It is a privilege and a pleasure to be working with Trinity and I am confident that the school will continue to go from strength to strength."

It was not all good news for the school, however, as the level of pupil's attainment was rated “inadequate”.

Mr Dick added: "The grade for attainment is a legacy from the previous management of pupils at Trinity.

"The school is confident that results will continue to rise as they have done for the last two years and the fantastic number of grade twos in the Ofsted report proves this.”