A BRADFORD school, which appeared on a list of Ofsted’s worst-performing schools, is determined to reclaim its reputation at the next inspection.

Bradford Girls’ Grammar School, on Squire Lane, was among three secondaries locally and 63 nationally, that were rated as inadequate – the lowest score from the education watchdog - as of this month.

The other two schools in the Bradford district are Hanson School, on Swain House Road and Holy Family Catholic School, on Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley.

Bradford Girls’ Grammar principal Clare Martin told the Telegraph & Argus that since the inspection in 2019 where it was judged to have serious weaknesses due to the leadership and management of safeguarding, there had been two formal monitoring visits.

Both these had judged that effective action is being taken. In addition, she said the school has commissioned an external independent audit of safeguarding, which has also confirmed that safeguarding is effective.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Girls' Grammar School. Picture: Google Street ViewBradford Girls' Grammar School. Picture: Google Street View

She said: “As a school with an incredible heritage, we are determined that our reputation as a centre of excellence will be reclaimed in our next Ofsted. As such, no stone is left unturned in our quest for school improvement.”

The school added that it is firmly committed to continuous improvement and that there has been a relentless focus on gaining an accurate evaluation of its strengths and areas for development.

The school has worked with Red Kite Teaching Alliance and has an annual peer review led by qualified Ofsted Inspectors. Together with feedback from the Ofsted monitoring Inspection in July 21, these have shaped the improvement priorities this academic year.

Some of the developments have seen the design of an ambitious curriculum from Early Years through to GCSE; the implementation of a new phonics scheme; and the introduction of a reading strategy.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Hanson SchoolHanson School

As for the other two Bradford secondaries on the list, Hanson School was visited by Ofsted in March, 2020, and was rated inadequate for behaviours and attitude and leadership and management. Ofsted also gave the school a serious weakness designation.

Holy Family Catholic School had received a requires improvement designation in 2019, and a subsequent visit in July last year saw it drop to inadequate due to behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley. Picture: Google Street ViewHoly Family Catholic School in Keighley. Picture: Google Street View

Both schools have since had monitoring visits, and Hanson was said to be taking effective action toward the removal of the serious weaknesses designation. While Holy Family is currently awaiting publication of the latest findings.

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