A SCHOOL is celebrating keeping their good rating in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Hove Park School in Nevill Road, Hove, was judged to be good by government inspectors in its first inspection since February 2013.

During their short inspection inspectors concluded the “leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school” and “the sixth form continues to flourish”.

Headteacher Rob Reed will leave the school at Easter to take up a new role as executive principal for Aldridge Education’s cluster of schools in the South East - Brighton and Portslade Community Academies and UTC@harbourside. he is currently co-headteacher alongside the senior deputy headteacher Jim Roberts, who will take over as acting headteacher.

Mr Reed said: “I’m delighted that Ofsted recognised the great work happening at Hove Park School. This is due to the combined efforts of colleagues, students, parents and carers.”

Mr Roberts said: “I am delighted that the strengths of our school have been recognised in this report. “This gives us a strong platform to become a truly outstanding school for our community.”

Among the key findings in the report was the good progress made by sixth formers in achieving the results to move into higher education, work or apprenticeships. Steps had been taken to improve the school’s absence figures which rose last year and weaknesses revealed by 2016 GCSE results have now been addressed.

The report highlighted 80 per cent of pupils are taking all the subjects required for the English Baccalaureate. Inspectors found many pupils making progress as a result of close monitoring by staff.

The report also mentioned the satisfaction of parents and the calm atmosphere at the school.

It states: “ Parents agreed that their children are happy. Many parents praised the school in their written comments, for example, ‘Staff go the extra mile’, ‘Teachers are passionate about what they do’ and ‘A fantastic school, staff are so understanding and supportive’.

“In addition to maintaining the good quality of teaching and learning seen during the previous inspection, staff model kindness and empathy alongside high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and work. All these contribute to the calm, positive atmosphere and culture at both the upper and lower sites.”

Among chief inspector Claire Gillies’ recommendations were for the school to continue to improve attendance, particularly of disadvantaged pupils, and for teachers to continue to focus on identifying pupils whose progress does not match national expectations. The exciting news comes after the school was re-awarded its Apple Distinguished Schools designation earlier this month. The school was recognised by the tech giant Apple for its iPad digital learning scheme.

Ofsted said of the scheme students are using tablets “sensibly and effectively” and “showing more confidence in working independently, helped by using tablets.”

Hove Park School was first rated good in 2013 when it improved from its satisfactory rating.