William Ellis School improvement praised in Ofsted report

But William Ellis School, in Highgate Road, has been denied the chance of a higher score after its inspection on October 8 and 9 as the education watchdog no longer gives one-word ratings.

Instead inspectors gave the school the second-highest 'good' ratings for its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and sixth form.

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This marked an improvement on its May 2022 inspection result, in which the school lost its 'good' rating.

William Ellis School headteacher Izzy Jones (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

In their report, published on November 27, inspectors said: "Pupils enjoy coming to this school. It provides them with a sense of community where difference is accepted and equality valued."

They said the school had taken "robust action" to prote good behaviour, reducing the use of derogatory language and addressing problems with discrimination and casual misogyny that were identified as a failing in the previous inspection.

Praising an "ambitious" curriculum, they wrote: "The school strives for all pupils to achieve well in their studies and in their personal development. The school is successful in meeting these goals.

"There is a strong, inclusive culture, and the school provides well for the much higher-than-average proportion of pupils with special educational needs or disabilities."

The report noted the William Ellis's "high aspirations", with nine out of ten pupils entered for the English Baccalaureate and "particularly high" achievements.

But it said sometimes teaching does not rectify gaps in pupils’ knowledge early enough and that the school "lacks a coherent strategy" for those who have trouble reading.

Inspectors were impressed by pupils' "positive attitudes" to learning, and the way they  listen to and respect each other’s views in class discussions.

Ofsted also praised the fact that almost all younger pupils take part in The Duke of Edinburgh Award, with many residential trips on offer as well as clubs and involvement in charity initiatives.

The report added: "School leaders and the governing body share a vision and passion. They want to enable all pupils to succeed in their learning and gain the knowledge and cultural capital they need to be upright citizens. They work well together to achieve these goals."

The school has been invited to comment.