School now rated good after 'transformation'

For the first time since 2010, Ofsted has rated Longhill High School in Rottingdean as good.

After two inspections in 2013 and 2016 resulted in the school being rated as requiring improvement, headteacher Kate Williams was brought in to transform it.

Following a two-day visit on September 18 and 19, the latest Ofsted report has praised the school for “significantly improved teaching and learning” and “inspirational leadership”.

Ms Williams said: “I took up my post in June 2016 with the aim of turning things around.

“We’ve done this by being more consistent, having high expectations for our students and working with the community, for example local councillors.

“There were concerns about the behaviour of students, so that’s where I started, by introducing a new behaviour system as well as a new uniform.

“It really is such a transformation, in a short space of time for a school.

“We’ve all done this together, the families, the local community and the pupils themselves who are amazing young people.

“They are bright, engaging and were exceptionally brilliant during the inspection.”

The pupils, who wrote the school’s new motto, ‘aspiration, determination, success’, were praised in the latest Ofsted report, which will be published on Monday.

The report said: “Pupils’ behaviour has been transformed since the last inspection and they are now proud of their school.

“They are smart, polite and tolerant of views and differences.

“They recognise the many improvements and are appreciative of their teachers and the leaders of the school.”

Leadership and teaching was also praised.

The report states: “The inspirational leadership of the headteacher has resulted in the staff working together to transform the school.

“The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good because teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve.”

Ms Williams said: “Hopefully one day we will be rated outstanding.”