The school was praised for its ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’
A secondary school has been rated ‘strong standard’ in all areas assessed by Ofsted. Hinchingbrooke School in Hinchingbrooke has been praised by inspectors for its “broad and ambitious” curriculum which means “pupils’ attainment is above national averages”.
The school, on Brampton Road, underwent an Ofsted inspection in May and has been rated as at a ‘strong standard’ across seven areas. These areas are: achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, personal development and wellbeing and post-16 provision.
Hinchingbrooke School, part of The Cam Academy Trust, was rated an overall ‘good’ in its previous inspection. Inspectors praised the secondary school for its “consistently high expectations” which are “clearly understood by pupils, who impressively rise to the challenge”.
The report, published on July 3, emphasises that pupils enjoy coming to school because “they feel part of a community” and that they enjoy “positive relationships with staff that are built on respect”.
The report states: “Pupils know that staff want them to achieve well. These high expectations are balanced with effective support for pupils’ wellbeing. Pupils have positive attitudes to their learning. They are keen to be in school each day. They feel known and supported as individuals.”
According to the school, the outcome places it among the strongest performers nationally, with inspectors recognising both the quality of education and the culture of the school community.
Inspectors praised leaders for having a “carefully designed” curriculum to prepare pupils for life beyond school. According to the report by the education watchdog, pupils in key stages four and five benefit from a range of options taught by subject specialists.
The report adds: “Pupils are confident, independent learners who are well prepared for their next steps, including in advanced study, training or work. They move on to a range of destinations that suit their aspirations and interests.”
Andy Hunter, Principal of Hinchingbrooke School, said: “We are incredibly proud of this outcome, which is the best the school has ever achieved. It reflects the dedication and commitment of our staff and the fantastic young people in our school.
“This report captures what we value most – a school that is ambitious, inclusive, and where every student feels they belong. Although we are pleased, there is a still a lot to do. We are excited to continue our journey towards being the very best school we can be.”
In its next steps, leaders were asked to ensure “continued improvement to curriculum implementation to achieve exceptional standards of teaching that have a transformational impact on the achievement of all pupils”, the report states.
Claire Heald, CEO of The Cam Academy Trust, added: “This is an excellent achievement and a testament to the strength of the whole school community. What stands out in this report is not just the outcome, but the culture it describes – a school where pupils feel safe, included, and part of something.
“The report also recognises the school’s focus on strong relationships, high expectations and a sense of belonging for all pupils.”
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