School earns good report

AFTER 'years of stagnation standards at Tideway School, Newhaven, have improved under its new headteacher, say school inspectors.

A team of 14 Ofsted inspectors visited in November last year and found a school which offered a 'sound education for its pupils .

The inspectors report stated: 'There has been an encouraging rise in attainment at GCSE after several years of stagnation. A much higher proportion of teaching now is good or very good compared with the last inspection.

It continued: 'Systems have been put in place to eradicate the minority of poor behaviour that disrupts learning for the vast majority keen to learn in the school.

Teaching was praised in the majority of lessons, particularly sixth form, and leadership and management was said to have improved 'significantly . Pupils were well cared for and received good support.

Commended

Headteacher Adrian Money took over the reigns at Tideway in September 2000 following the retirement of Ken Saxby, who had been head for 20 years.

The new head was commended for the changes he had made. The report said: 'The headteacher has taken a firm grip on reducing the budget deficit and on improving the quality of teaching and learning.

Inspectors also backed the school s plans to axe its sixth form and become a specialist technology school for ages 11-16. The report said: '... the high cost of maintaining a good quality education for sixth formers has been recognised, resulting in a good strategic decision to close it.

Areas for improvement were also highlighted. These included history, religious education, modern languages and IT. Information for parents on their child s progress could also be improved.

Mr Money welcomed the Ofsted report. He said: 'I am very pleased that the improvements we have made since the last inspection have been recognised. I am also delighted that the report demonstrates that the school s real strength lies in the quality of the established teaching staff, which is something I have been very aware of since I joined the school.

Areas identified by inspectors which were in need of improvement would form the basis of a four-year development plan. He said: 'We have already put a number of measures in place. We are also planning to become a specialist technology school as it will enable us to enhance teaching and learning across all subjects through the use of technology and to extend yet further our community links.

Chair of governors Alison Thomas added: 'The governors are especially pleased that the progress made by the school under the new headteacher and senior leadership team has been recognised by the inspectors. We are also pleased that the hard work of both staff and students has been praised.