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12
May
Harrogate secondary school rated 'Good' after years 'requiring improvement'
Rossett School has overturned years of disappointing Ofsted assessments, to be rated ‘Good’ in all areas following its latest inspection.
The Harrogate secondary school was rated ‘Outstanding’ in 2010, but converted to academy status in 2012 and was downgraded to ‘Requires improvement’ at its inspection in 2019 – a rating it retained in 2022.
But since then, the school – which has 798 students, 88 of them in the sixth form – has made some significant changes. It joined the Red Kite Learning Trust in 2023 and hired a new headteacher shortly after its last inspection.
Under the leadership of Tim Milburn, who was previously deputy head at Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett School has undergone a period of rapid positive change.
An Ofsted monitoring inspection report in January 2024 recognised that the “school and leaders have ensured that the school is improving quickly” and praised the progress made.
Ofsted inspectors returned last month for a full inspection and judged the school to be ‘Good’ in every category: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Sixth Form Provision.
Rossett School.
Highlights
Ofsted found the school environment to be “happy, welcoming and inclusive,” and highlighted the strong sense of community and ambition that now defines daily life at Rossett School, stating that pupils “increasingly flourish in this calm and orderly learning environment.”
Recognising the hard work of the staff at the school, inspectors have commended the quality of education, noting that “teachers have strong subject knowledge” and “continually check pupils’ understanding,” ensuring students make strong progress through the curriculum. The report also praises the school’s pastoral care, with many parents telling inspectors that their child is “thriving due to expert guidance and teaching.”
The Ofsted report notes that “this is a school that wants every pupil to belong and benefit fully from all that it has to offer. A culture of kindness and respect is the hallmark of everyday routines.” It also highlights how “the school prioritises support for vulnerable pupils” and “recognises the achievements of pupils, helping them develop character traits that will help them in the future.”
Staff morale has never been higher, with inspectors stating that “staff are exceptionally proud to work at Rossett School” and are confident in the direction of the school under its new leadership.
The school has nearly 800 students.
'Delighted'
Mr Milburn said he wanted to thank the students, families, and the wider school community for their trust and support, adding that they had made the improvements together.
He said:
I am absolutely delighted with this outcome for our community. It reflects the incredible hard work and commitment of our entire staff team as well as the support, guidance and expertise we have received from our Red Kite Learning Trust colleagues.
This report validates what we already knew, that Rossett School is a place where every young person can thrive and where success is for everyone.
Headteacher Tim Milburn.
The Red Kite Learning Trust, which Rossett School joined in September 2023, is a multi-academy trust made up of 16 schools in North and West Yorkshire.
Erica Hiorns, director of secondary education at Red Kite Learning Trust, said:
This is a fantastic achievement for Rossett School and a testament to the impact of strong, values-led leadership and a united school community. The progress made since the last inspection has been transformational.
We are proud to see Ofsted recognise the culture of care, ambition, and high standards that now defines the school.
Rossett School will be holding a parent forum on Thursday, May 22 to discuss the findings of the Ofsted report and explore the next steps in the school’s process of improvement.
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