Headteacher and staff at once-troubled SCCS praised by new Ofsted inspection reports

WITH the claim it was “Britain’s most violent school”, The Sun newspaper once printed articles laced with the suggestion that South Camden Community School  should be closed down.

The Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid’s anger  followed a wave of stabbings, muggings and the tragic death of pupil Richard Everitt, the 15-year-old murdered by a gang of teenagers in 1994.

But through those dark days, the school in Charrington Street, Somers Town, did not close. It took on the task of serving one of Camden’s most challenging catchment areas and this week its steady rise from that lowest ebb continued with an encouraging report by government inspectors.

While The Sun’s articles all those years ago amounted to a case for closure, Ofsted’s findings in complete contrast suggest rapid improvements are being made at what is the borough’s largest secondary school.

There was particular praise for headteacher Rosemary Leeke’s leadership and the senior staff around her. It remains in the ‘satisfactory’ rung on the four-bar scorechart – the bands “good” and “outstanding” are higher up the ladder – but the school was lauded in a number of categories.

Ofsted inspector Paul Metcalf said: “Students feel safe and value the care, guidance and support offered by the school. Their behaviour is good and they are very proud of and committed to the school and the community. 

“They speak positively of the opportunities that they have to take responsibility through, for example, the school council, and a wide range of committees covering behaviour for learning, healthy schools and learning and achievement.”

The standard of sixth-form teaching was marked out for praise, while the school was commended for promoting “community cohesion” – in complete contrast with the historic editorials in the Sun. 

The school is currently in the middle of a £25million refurbishment which will create places for more pupils, as part of the previous  government’s Building Schools for the Future programme that escaped the Coalition cuts. 

Ms Leeke said: “The report confirms our view about the very good progress the school is making and highlights its many strengths as well as providing guidance on areas we need to continue to improve. 

“The contribution made by students to the school and wider community and the effectiveness of the school’s work with parents and carers were judged to be outstanding.” 

She added: “I’d like to thank students, staff, parents and governors.”

Camden’s schools chief Councillor Larraine Revah added: “Although losing government funding for Building Schools for the Future for most schools across the borough was a big blow, we are delighted that we managed to hang on to the funding for the great rebuilding project that is now well under way at SCCS and I look forward to a completely refurbished school very soon.” 

Published: 21 July 2011
by RICHARD OSLEY