Ofsted inspector sees progress at Shrewsbury school in special measures

The Grange School, in Worcester Road, Shrewsbury, has seen improvements across almost all areas according to the latest report by Ofsted, which visited last month.

It commended pupil achievement and behaviour, the quality of teaching and leadership at the Grange, which is gaining academy status on April 1.

The inspectors said around three quarters of Year 11 pupils were on track to meet nationally expected levels of progress in English, and two thirds in mathematics. "If achieved, this would represent a strong improvement when compared to the progress made by last year's Year 11 students," the report added.

In March 2012, Ofsted said the overall quality and effectiveness of teaching was 'inadequate' and demanded steps be taken to improve standards.

But it said there were some areas that still needed to be improved. Pupils with special needs, for instance, are reaching targets in English, but remain behind where they should be in mathematics and science.

"In science, too many more able students are not making the progress they should.

"Gaps still exist between students who are eligible for free schools meals and other groups, but they are narrowing."

But the inspectors said teachers' higher expectations of what pupils can achieve, together with more interesting lessons, were "having a positive impact" on pupils' motivation and work rates. The inspectors said there was 'palpable enthusiasm' for work in many lessons.

However, in some lessons, particularly for less able students, targets "were either unrealistic or the work is not challenging enough".

And while marking continues to improve, "it is still not entirely consistent".

New head of school Rob Hatch, who was appointed in January, said the Ofsted report was great news.

He added: "Hopefully the Ofsted reports will get better and better as time goes on."