A school in Swindon has been rated 'outstanding' in two areas but has room for improvement in the others.

Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College in Wroughton was visited by Ofsted inspectors in April and was given an overall 'good' rating.

Ofsted was very impressed by the school's quality of education and leadership and management, offering them the highest possible 'outstanding' rating in those areas. 

It was rated 'good' in the last three categories - behaviour and attitudes, personal development and sixth-form provision.

Ultimately, the school said it was very pleased with this inspection and provided a reaction to it in a post on its website.

It said: "To have been rated 'outstanding' in quality of education is a real credit to our dedicated, hard-working, and talented staff and senior leadership team."

Backing up this rating, inspectors wrote: “Leaders have designed subject curriculums with considerable thought and care… Teachers are subject experts.

“Pupils’ work is of a high standard. They are well prepared for their next steps.

“Leaders have a clear vision for the school… As a result, there is a continuous drive towards improvement.”

The school said that over the past few years it has placed an emphasis on literacy and reading, and this has been recognised in the report.

“There is an embedded reading culture throughout the school. Younger pupils read often and enjoy the opportunities they are given," the inspector recorded. 

The school statement continued: "At The Ridgeway, we are always looking to improve our students’ time in school and the outcomes they achieve. While we are delighted with how our students and staff represented our school in this report, we are also excited to build on the areas where there is still room for improvement."

Adrian Cush said: “We are proud that The Ridgeway has been judged a 'good' school by Ofsted and that some areas were deemed 'outstanding'. Particularly, to be rated 'outstanding' in quality of education is an exceptional achievement.”

“Our staff and our students work so hard and with such enthusiasm to make The Ridgeway the great place to learn that it is. We also have a really supportive and engaged parent and carer community who we’d like to thank for their continued backing.”