A BARNSLEY secondary school has maintained its ‘good’ rating in its latest Ofsted inspection.
Inspectors praised ‘strong and determined leadership’ at Horizon Community College following its recent ‘short’ inspection, which confirmed the school has maintained its ‘good’ rating from the last full inspection in 2014.
Inspectors said school leaders had clearly responded to the area for improvement in the previous inspection report about catering for the needs of all students.
Inspectors highlighted examination results, saying ‘overall, students make stronger progress than students nationally’ and that disadvantaged students also make ‘stronger progress than their peers nationally’.
Inspectors said they saw real challenge across the ability range, including for high ability students.
Executive principal Nick Bowen said: “Horizon has been on an incredible journey over the last six years and this has required staff at all levels and governors to be prepared to lead with conviction.”
Inspectors picked out governance as a strength, saying governors were clear about the strengths and priorities of the school, and said Horizon is highly ambitious for its students, with high expectations regarding behaviour too.
The school’s leaders have been encouraged by the inspection team to continue their work with primary school colleagues, so that new year seven students make rapid progress from the outset and build quickly on their primary experience.
Principal Claire Huddart praised staff, students and parents for the good report. “It has been a real team effort,” she said. “A school like Horizon needs all the community pulling in the right direction for students to achieve what they are truly capable of.”
