PUPILS and staff at Tiverton High School have returned to the new term on a high note after receiving a strong OFSTED report.

It comes after a disappointing report two years ago where the school was told it required improvement.

But in their latest report, the high school was rated as ‘good with outstanding features’ by inspectors.

Andrew Lovett, headteacher, was singled out by lead inspector Jacqueline Goodall for providing ‘strong and determined leadership with a clear moral purpose to help every student to succeed’.

Mr Lovett said: “We pride ourselves on being a school for the whole community and I’m enormously pleased to see Ofsted recognise that young people make good and outstanding progress here, whatever their starting point.

“This report has focused on the school as a whole and the community. This is a very value led institution. What we are also pleased to see is that students, whether they are able or not so able can make good improvements.”

Mr Lovett was also credited with ‘successfully introducing a school-wide focus on raising aspirations and ambition’.

Lead inspector Jacqueline Goodall said: “This has brought about significant improvement to the school’s provision.”

“The school is a well-ordered and welcoming community in which students behave well and thrive in their education.”

Inspectors, which spent two days in the school in July, and found that students are increasingly keen to do well in their learning and express a pride in their school.

Overall effectiveness of the school along with the teaching, the achievement of pupils and the leadership and management, were also commended.

Now the school is being given advice on how to become ‘outstanding’.

This includes continuing to improve teaching and learning and strengthening the focus on raising aspirations so all students are equally stretched.

“The achievement of students is rising rapidly,” Ms Goodall said.

“They make good or outstanding progress in nearly all subjects, including English and maths.

"In addition to key academic subjects such as English, maths and science, all students have opportunities to develop their interests.

"The school is at the centre of its community through its ambitious work with collaborative partnerships, for example with local primary schools."