Holland Park school is on the way up says OFSTED23 May 2003Holland Park School is an "improving school" that enjoys "strong and inspirational leadership," according to Ofsted. In its report published today (23 May), Ofsted also praises the school for giving "satisfactory value for money" and singles out the Head Teacher Colin Hall for special praise, describing him as an inspirational figure "with a clear view of the action needed to ensure that the school continues to improve…" The inspectors, who put the school under the spotlight in April, also complimented Holland Park for "sustaining its strong commitment to all pupils and to its multicultural nature." On the academic front, there was clear evidence of improvement. More than nine out of ten lessons were observed to be satisfactory or better. Over half were good. The proportion of students achieving good A to C grades at GCSE has so improved that it is now "better than similar schools" and "approaching national averages." At 'A' level, pass rates have also improved and are now beginning to exceed national expectations. Holland Park, write the inspectors, offers "a good sixth form" in which "standards are above average in a number of subjects and where "teaching is good and much of it very good." Behaviour, in and out of the classroom, was found to be satisfactory and "much of it good." "Good racial and social harmony" was also "apparent in the school." "This is a comprehensive report which highlights a range of areas for further work and development" said Cabinet member for Education, Cllr. Mary Weale, "But overall it makes plain that the Head Teacher and his dedicated staff have made real progress. We congratulate and indeed thank them for that." The inspection process revealed that both pupils and parents feel positively about Holland Park. Parents report that their children like school, that the school has high expectations and that they feel comfortable about approaching staff with questions or problems. However, note the inspectors, a minority of parents are very unhappy about the school's leadership - a fact that was well aired in the media earlier this year. But despite this, the inspectors own investigations suggest "that these views are not shared by the majority," indeed their conclusion is that the leadership team is "very effective," with the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher sharing "a vision that is underpinned by powerful educational principles." "Holland Park serves very many disadvantaged children," added Cllr. Weale. "To give them a chance to achieve their potential, they must be stretched and challenged and best practice has to be applied. "I am particularly delighted to see that the majority of parents are behind are efforts to do just that. Together we can go on to turn Holland Park into the best community school in the Capital." The Council is currently developing plans to rebuild Holland Park, with the intention of creating a school with some of the finest educational facilities in London. Key facts for understanding Holland Park School
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