READING Girls’ School is celebrating after receiving its Ofsted result.
Following the inspection in November 2021, the school was awarded ‘good’ overall with ‘outstanding features’.
Ofsted reports are based on four key aspects and the school received ‘outstanding’ in behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management with ‘good’ effectiveness recorded in quality of education and personal development.
Head Principal at the school, Marika Farrugia, is happy to see the dedication of the staff and pupils rewarded.
“I am really proud to be the principal for such an amazing community,” she said.
“It is wonderful that the passion, commitment and hard work of our staff, pupils and parents has been recognised.”
Before joining the Thames Learning Trust and becoming a sponsored academy in 2017, the school was graded as ‘inadequate’ on their most recent Ofsted report in April 2016.
The trust, formed in 2015, comprises four schools across Berkshire and aims to improve performance by working together and sharing expertise, resources and knowledge.
Ofsted inspectors were also keen to highlight the pupils at the school and were impressed by their aspirations.
“Pupils are very proud of their school, they are keen to achieve academically and are exceptionally ambitious for their futures,” they said.
Within the report, specific praise was attributed to developing a range of subjects on offer to students and the quality in which they are delivered.
“The curriculum gives pupils what they need to be lifelong learners,” it said.
“This includes considering different role models of successful women, which encourages pupils to be ambitious for their future careers.”
It continued: “The school has an ambitious science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum alongside a broad curriculum offer.”
Additionally, the report focuses on arrangements for safeguarding of pupils and the school was recorded as having ‘effective’ practices in place.
“The school is a close-knit community and everyone looks out for each other,” said the inspectors.
“Pupils know how to report their worries or concerns and staff act on these quickly.”
Cllr Ashley Pearce, lead for Education at Reading Borough Council, also welcomed the news by congratulating the staff on Twitter.
“Well done to everyone at Reading Girls’ School for their recent Ofsted inspection result,” he said.
“So much excellent work has gone in over the last few years and recognition of this is very welcome.”
For more information, or to read the full Ofsted inspection, visit: readinggirlsschool.co.uk
