Nidderdale High School has been praised highly by Ofsted for its good teaching and the consistently above average attainment of its students.
In their latest report inspectors commend Nidderdale for its rapid and sustained improvement so that teaching is either good or outstanding and pupil attainment is above average and rising at a faster rate than the national average.
Ofsted also notes that parental support for the school is strong and staff work together very well to focus on excellent teaching and learning
New leadership, say inspectors, has raised standards in every aspect of the school’s work and has had a “dramatic impact on rejuvenating the school’s sense of purpose”. Teachers know their subjects well and engage their students and address effectively their individual needs. Moreover “where teaching is outstanding students really fly and make excellent progress.” Students enjoy coming to school and attendance is above average.
County Councillor Arthur Barker, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Schools said:
Ofsted has recognised the huge strides that are being made at Nidderdale in reaching for the highest standards of teaching and learning and we are delighted with this recognition and proud of everything that is being achieved.
Nidderdale High School has begun a new and exciting chapter with the appointment recently of Ian Simpson as permanent headteacher.
Mr Simpson, a former deputy headteacher of King James’s School, Knaresborough, was associate headteacher at Nidderdale during a partnership between the two schools which has brought about rapid improvement over the past year. Ofsted said the partnership has extended opportunities for students and has led to highly effective sharing of best practice among teachers.
Under Mr Simpson’s headship the two schools will maintain a close working relationship, though Nidderdale will move forward under its own steam. .
Mr Simpson said:
This Ofsted report is a wonderful accolade for the school. Nidderdale is a small school where staff members really pull together and the strengths and weaknesses of every child are known very well.
Our current year 11 is on track to get the best results yet for attainment, achievement and progress during 2013 and the inspectors could see this in practice in the classrooms where students are really engaging with their work. Our students are aiming high and so are we.
Mr Simpson said the goal was for all teaching to become outstanding.
Mr Simpson added:
This is a closely-knit school with very high standards but we also hope to increase school numbers on the back of excellent results.
