Ofsted upgrade for Bilston school
A secondary school in Bilston has been praised by Ofsted for making wholesale improvements – a little more than two years after it came out of special measures.
Inspectors from the education watchdog hailed achievement in English as being 'exceptional and amongst the very best nationally' at Moseley Park School in Bilston, Wolverhampton.
Senior leaders were rated as 'outstanding', with inspectors noting a significant spike in academic standards since the school converted to an academy in June 2012.
Last year Moseley Park achieved some of the best GCSE results in the city, with 74 per cent of students securing five A* to C grades including English and Maths.
The academy on Holland Road was given an overall rating of 'good' following its latest two-day inspection at the end of June.
The report represents the 717-pupil school's highest rating since the inspection regime began 22 years ago and marks a huge turnaround in fortunes.
In her report, lead inspector Lisa Fraser wrote: "Leadership is outstanding because in the short time since the academy was established, academic standards have risen dramatically."
She went on to praise teaching staff, noting that although students tend to join the school 'with skills in reading, writing and mathematics which are well below national average', many of them go on to achieve 'well above average' GCSE grades.
The school's sixth form was also praised, with student progress in business lessons singled-out as being 'outstanding'.
The behaviour of pupils was also highlighted, with the lead inspector stating: "Good behaviour, both in lessons and around the academy contributes to a calm and orderly environment."
She added that there have been no permanent exclusions at the school in the past two years.
During the visit Ofsted inspectors observed 30 classes and held meetings with senior leaders, governors, teachers and students, as well as considering the views from parents via an online questionnaire.
Delighted headteacher Nick Elwiss, said: "We are very pleased that Ofsted has confirmed what we have known for some time – Moseley Park is the best secondary school in the Bilston area.
"Moseley Park will soon become a great school. The students and the community served by the school deserve nothing less".
Three years ago the school's previous governing body was dismissed and its headteacher resigned following a damning inspection which branded the school as 'inadequate'.
It was rated as a grade three 'satisfactory in March 2012.
