SETTLE College has retained its ‘good’ status following an Ofsted inspection in May along with a glowing report for the headteacher who started his post in November.

The report stated: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.

“Teaching staff value the training that they are given to improve their skills. "Governors know the school very well. They have steered the school successfully through some uncertain times. They are clear about its place in the local community. They are also very aware of the particular challenges that a relatively small, rural school faces."

The report praised headteacher Gareth Whitaker adding: “Since your appointment as headteacher in November 2018, you have led the school with vision, vigour and a real sense of moral purpose.

“Working with staff and governors, you have quickly and effectively established a culture and ways of working that have helped address the uncertainties that had led to a dip in the quality of some aspects of the school’s work.

“The overall quality of teaching is good and improving. pupils feel safe and enjoy school. Relationships between adults and pupils and among pupils are cordial and open. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect and care in the school which has a very positive impact on learning and pupils’ progress.”

Inspectors also noted the sixth-form provision is effective and well led. The sixth-form team works imaginatively to make sure, as far as is possible, students follow the course combinations of their choice.

Sixth form students are given opportunities to take on responsibilities and further develop their independence. The sixth-form with whom inspectors spoke were fulsome in their praise of their teachers and the time and effort staff put in to support, care for and challenge them.

Mr Whitaker said: “The leadership team are relatively new to their substantiated positions; myself appointed as headteacher in November last year and Gareth Paisley appointed as the deputy headteacher in January this year, along with Suzanne Doyle and Simon Murphy.

“We are confident we can continue to grow on this success and take the school from good to great with the committed students, staff and governing body.”

Lawrence Denholm, chairman of the governors added: “As governors, we are delighted by this report, but not surprised. It reinforces our view of the school and the confidence we have in our staff and in the school’s excellent leadership.

“We know Mr Whitaker and the team don’t ‘do’ complacent.

“There is always work to be done, ongoing problems to resolve, a momentum to sustain. But it is also right to draw breath and take pride not just in what Ofsted said, but what they saw. This is a tremendous vote of confidence, and a clear mandate for the next stages of our journey.”

Inspectors suggested the school continues its 'rigorous and focussed' work to improve attendance and continues to develop its work to support SEND pupils.

They asked the school addresses the ‘minority of pupils who do not pay full enough attention to ensure the work in their books and folders is well presented’.