Inspector praises 'improved' town school

Jeni Harvey

INSPECTORS from education watchdog Ofsted have found that a Doncaster school has “improved well” since its last inspection three years ago.

A newly published report on Hall Cross School in Thorne Road has again graded the school “satisfactory” overall – the same rating as the 2007 inspection – but says that there has been an “unequivocal focus” on trying to improve standards.

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In his report, inspector Clive Moss said: “The proportion of teaching that is good or better has increased, but not yet sufficiently for teaching to be better than satisfactory overall.

“The improvement is the result of an unequivocal focus by leaders and managers at all levels on using good-quality data and information about students’ progress to identify where teaching needs to be better.”

He added: “Teachers do not yet ensure, however, that the work they plan for different groups of students is followed within the lessons.

“Similarly, students are not always provided with advice on how to improve their work that is linked clearly to how they can meet their targets.”

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Criticism is also aimed at sixth form lessons, which Mr Moss says provide students with “insufficient opportunities” to think for themselves.

The report has, however, been welcomed by headteacher Pippa Dodgshon who said: “We have worked extremely hard to place our students at the heart of all our activities and we are particularly pleased that our young people gained well-deserved recognition for the positive contributions they make to Hall Cross.

“We continue to be very optimistic about the future.”

Students told the inspectors that they enjoyed school and were “very happy” with both the courses on offer and the support they receive.