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EDUCATION - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 8 May 2008
 

Parliament Hill: ‘Students from all backgrounds can achieve ambitions…’
Parliament Hill rated among top secondary schools in the country

Headteacher’s delight as government standards inspectors praise ‘positive learning culture’

PARLIAMENT Hill School has been named in the top 11 per cent of secondary schools in the country by government inspectors.

Headteacher Sue Higgins thanked staff after an Ofsted report revealed teachers were performing to high standards.
The school was put in the “good” category, effectively meaning that inspectors judge it as one of Camden’s best schools. The grade is just one step short of the “outstanding” band reached only by the country’s elite.
Inspector Meena Wood said: “Parliament Hill is a good school with a good sixth form. The school has successfully created a positive culture of learning that encourages students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their potential.”
Parliament Hill has long been regarded as a high performer and has a reputation for academic achievement which stretches across north London. Inspectors spent two days interviewing staff and sitting in on lessons at the end of March.
“Leadership and management are good,” Ms Wood added. “The headteacher’s strong leadership, clear vision and methodical direction have resulted in the school continuously improving achievement and standards for students.
“One parent reported: ‘During the four years at the school, my daughter blossomed into a confident, articulate, compassionate and well-adjusted young adult’.”
Ms Higgins said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of the inspection. The report is very positive about all areas of the school’s work. We know that our exam results are very good and improving and it is really pleasing that the inspection recognised that our students achieve well because they are well taught, well cared for and supported.”
Chairman of governors John Clark said: “As a community comprehensive, we take pride in creating a setting in which students from all backgrounds can achieve their ambitions with us.”
The inspection contrasts with the findings of an Ofsted report into the neighbouring William Ellis boys’ school, which partly shares the La Swap sixth-form consortium with Parliament Hill.
As the New Journal revealed last week, William Ellis was only graded “satisfactory” – down from “good” – although inspectors found that the school had measures in place to turn around its fortunes and clear a stinging £500,000 debt.
Education chiefs at the Town Hall have pledged to work with the school to help.

There was welcome news at Acland Burghley another school in La Swap – where a similar “satisfactory” score was reached but with inspectors giving “good” grades in several areas.
Headteacher Michael Shew, who was praised for creating “a sense of community”, said: “I’m pleased that the inspectors rated the school as ‘good’ in so many areas. Teachers and staff work extremely hard at Acland Burghley to meet the needs of our pupils.
“The inspectors were positive about the direction the school is taking.”
Conservative education chief Councillor Andrew Mennear added: “This result shows Acland Burghley is firmly on the right path.”
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