Dereham high school and sixth form gets good Ofsted rating

Northgate High School and Dereham Sixth Form College are delighted that they have received a resounding 'good' rating in all categories following an Ofsted inspection on May 23 and 24.

The education watchdog's report highlights the "high expectations" of teachers and the attitudes of students, noting that they are "polite and courteous" and that "sixth-form students act with maturity and confidence".

Headteachers Zoë Galley and Dr Duncan Hone said they were pleased their staff's hard work and dedication had been recognised.

In a joint statement, they said: “The enormous pride our community has in the school and college came across to the inspectors.

"It was also an extremely affirming experience to hear from parents and carers about how the school and college have shaped and supported their children through both good and challenging times.

"It really is a partnership, and we are fortunate to have such strong community support.”

Dereham Sixth Form College

The Ofsted report also said: “Teachers have high expectations.

"The curriculum enables pupils to achieve well, this is a result of the ambition of leaders for all pupils to succeed, and of effective provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (Send) at all key stages.”

The report went on to say the school could improve its use of 'assessment information'.

Inspectors said: "Some pupils do not always know more and remember more.

"Leaders need to ensure that best practice seen in the strongest subjects is replicated across all subjects to enable pupils to use knowledge fluently.”

Mrs Galley and Dr Hone said they were already working to improve the school's performance in this area.

Northgate High School was previously rated good after a 'short' inspection in 2017, and also in 2013, before it became an academy.