St Andrew's College in Cleethorpes 'on right track' after Ofsted inspection shows improvement

A CLEETHORPES school formerly judged as "inadequate" has improved, according to Ofsted inspectors – but there is still a long way to go.

St Andrew's College was visited by Ofsted inspectors on February 5 and 6 and was given a "requires improvement" rating, which is below "outstanding" and "good" in the four categories.

However, it shows improvement on the previous "inadequate" grade – the lowest of the four – that the school was given in January 2012 along with a "notice to improve".

Principal Louise Wilson said it shows the "pace of change" that will bring the school through a difficult period.

However, Mrs Wilson added: "There is still a long way to go but we are on the right track on our journey to becoming an outstanding school – which is our ultimate aim."

However, now it is in the "requires improvement category" – equivalent to "satisfactory" until new framework came into place last year – it will be two years until it has another full inspection.

Mrs Wilson added: "It might have been 'satisfactory' in old money but not for me – I think we should be trying to be the best we can be."

Mrs Wilson fully expects the school to be in the "good" category by the next inspection.

She added: "It's an ambitious target but I'm aiming high."

The report says the school is not "good" because:

Progress is adequate rather than good because teaching needs to improve.

Attainment is still below average – although it has improved.

Teachers should do more to develop literacy skills – except in humanities.

Attitude to learning needs to improve and students should take more responsibility.

Too much drive comes from senior leaders – other teachers need to do more.

However, the report also highlights strengths:

Progress is well-monitored, allowing teachers to intervene early if necessary.

Governors have grit, determination, expertise and are constantly looking at ways to improve.

A coaching system for teachers is improving standards.

The principal provides inspirational leadership.

In 2011, just 35 per cent of students reached the Government benchmark of five A*-C GCSE grades including English and maths.

In 2012, results improved so that 43 per cent of students reached the benchmark – an improvement of 8 per cent.

Mrs Wilson added: "We are still on this journey of improvement but this report shows we are in the right place."

Rainbow Corner Day Nursery in Holton-le-Clay has been rated "good" – an improvement on the "satisfactory" rating it was given in 2010.

Read the full story in tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph.

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St Andrew's College Ofsted report