Harrogate secondary school praised for ‘care, compassion and commitment’ in new Ofsted report
A school in Harrogate has been praised for the ‘care, compassion and commitment’ shown to pupils, following its latest Ofsted inspection.
Inspectors highlighted strong progress at Harrogate High School after a visit in February, with the new report published on April 14.
They noted that pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and said ‘teaching has improved significantly’ as a result of effective changes introduced by school leaders.
Harrogate High School is part of Northern Star Academies Trust, which is a group of 15 schools across Harrogate, Skipton, Keighley and Bradford.
The report states: “Ambition is high across subjects – leaders have maintained their focus on providing a high-quality, broad and balanced curriculum for all.”
Inspectors also highlighted the school’s strong culture and values, adding that leaders "have fostered an inclusive culture which threads through all areas of the school” and have “created a positive school culture underpinned by clear values and expectations”.
Staff were also said to feel well supported, with inspectors noting they “value the training provided” by school leaders.
Beyond the classroom, the report praised the wide range of enrichment opportunities available to pupils, including clubs, community projects and trips, which help students develop their wider interests and talents.
Under the new-style Ofsted framework, behaviour, teaching, inclusion, leadership and student wellbeing were all judged to be at the “expected standard”.
However, inspectors said student achievement requires further attention, while acknowledging that “improvements that have been made are having a positive effect, with pupil attainment getting better”.
The performance of disadvantaged pupils was also reported to have “improved considerably”.
Headteacher Sukhraj Gill, who has led the school’s improvement journey since 2021, said: "This report is a tribute to the hard work put in by pupils, teachers and leaders over several years to build a school which is ambitious, inclusive and succeeding.
"I am especially pleased that inspectors recognised our school as a special place where we know our students well and that their experience of Harrogate High is one of care, compassion and commitment."
Jenn Plews, Chief Executive of Northern Star Academies Trust, added: "I am delighted that Ofsted inspectors have recognised the transformation that has taken place at Harrogate High School to make it a school of choice for local families, with high expectations and positive attitudes to learning.”