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26 February 2009

An Ofsted report has named Plashet School in Newham as one of 12 schools that have excelled in challenging circumstances and have been rated as 'outstanding' in at least two inspections.

The 12 schools highlighted show they have succeeded by putting pupils first, investing in staff and their communities, applying consistently strong values and expectations and providing rich opportunity for each student, encouraging them to fulfil their potential.

Plashet School is a girl's specialist science college which serves communities where pupils come from poorer urban backgrounds and an above average proportion receives free school meals.

Mrs Bushra Nasir, Headteacher of Plashet School, said: "It's a great privilege to be included in this report. It is wonderful to have led with colleagues the improvements at Plashet School. I would like to thank the staff, students, parents and governors for helping the school to go from strength to strength."

The schools share a number of common features. They all track pupils' progress against targets, doing everything possible to help them succeed and supporting them if they slip behind. They also give high priority to appointing effective teachers and providing continuous professional development.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert said:

"Every child deserves an excellent education and these schools have shown a passion for providing this. The scale of challenge faced is considerable; none has any evident advantage except the quality of leadership, staff and the teaching and learning provided.

"These schools show that excellence doesn't happen by chance. It is due to the vision and conviction of their leaders and the inspired, effective teams they have built.

"Much of what they do is already widespread in schools but in each case they do everything well. They show how to balance discipline with what one head movingly calls the 'healing and invigorating power of praise and celebration'.

"It is our aim at Ofsted to share best practice to support improvement and better outcomes for pupils. I hope the example of these schools will inspire others across the country so that all young people, regardless of where they go to school will have the same opportunity of an excellent education."

The report, 'Twelve outstanding secondary schools. Excelling against the odds', can be found on the Ofsted website: www.Ofsted.gov.uk.