Sports college rated as 'outstanding' in Ofsted report

HULL'S St Mary's Sports College has become the first secondary school in the city to be rated "outstanding" by education watchdog Ofsted.

Inspectors said the school, in Cranbrook Avenue, provided outstanding care, guidance and support for pupils and praised the quality of teaching and the curriculum.

Headteacher Ged Fitzpatrick said he now wanted the school to be the best in the country.

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"The report is an endorsement of all the hard work of staff and students at the school," he said.

"It is also a huge achievement for the city and puts us amongst the top schools in the country.

"We want to be the best school in England. We can get even better and will continue to develop the school."

The rating has delighted education officials in the city, which has consistently performed poorly in national league tables.

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Nigel Richardson, Hull Council director of children and young people's services, said: "I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised that St Mary's is an outstanding school.

"This is testament to all the hard work and dedication of the head and all his teachers and staff, as well as the pupils and their families."

Education portfolio holder Councillor Christine Randall said: "It is down to all their hard work that St Mary's has been recognised by Ofsted, and rightly so.

"I hope that the school will take pride in this success and continue to improve for years to come."

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In 2009, 60 per cent of St Mary's pupils achieved the benchmark five GCSE passes at A* to C, compared to a national average of 49.8 per cent.

The city average was 36.9 per cent, leaving it in the bottom three of all local authorities in England.

Three other Hull secondaries – David Lister, Endeavour and Andrew Marvel – are in special measures for failing to provide an acceptable standard of education.

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