Elite North school stays on top form

Jul 7 2009 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

AN exceptional North East school has been given its fourth consecutive endorsement by Government inspectors that it is doing an outstanding job in educating young people.

Ofsted has awarded Emmanuel College in Gateshead its highest rating for the fourth time in a row, meaning the school has maintained an unbroken record of outstanding inspection reports throughout its 19-year history.

Emmanuel is the only school in the North East to have managed this and is thought to be one of only an elite handful in the country to boast such an achievement.

The latest report is the best yet for the college, which is sponsored by Sir Peter Vardy’s Emmanuel Schools Foundation and next year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

According to the inspectors, its performance in its specialism of technology and enterprise put it “among the very best schools in the country”.

After its last inspection, Emmanuel entered an elite squad of only 12 secondary schools nationally to hold three consecutive top ratings at that time.

The inspectors noted the school has gone on to improve even further with all students making excellent progress, including those with learning difficulties who “often produce quite outstanding GCSE performances”. The latest report follows a further outstanding rating Emmanuel received last year for its learning outside the classroom provision.

Its “rich and extensive programme” led to it being hailed as one of the best schools nationally and it was included in an Ofsted report of schools which others should emulate.

Principal Jonathan Winch said: “This is the fifth time Ofsted have declared us outstanding but one of those was a survey visit, so formally this is the fourth consecutive highest rating and maintains our 100% record.

“Such an endorsement is rich reward for our wonderful students, their supportive and enthusiastic parents and our highly dedicated staff team.

“The fact we have not only maintained our standards but also improved in some areas since the last report shows that you can never rest on your laurels.

“There is still more work to be done and everyone at the college is highly committed to improving still further in any way we can.”

:: Click here to see what Ofsted have said about Emmanuel College in the past