OFSTED Report of November 1999

A Glowing Report for Northfleet School for Boys

OFSTED inspectors have given Northfleet School for Boys a glowing report, following their visit to the school in November. The exceptionally high standard of teaching, enabling pupils to make 'consistently good progress at each key stage' are highlighted as features of a school in which 'relationships between teachers and pupils are very good and, consequently, pupils have positive attitudes to learning'. The school, which has seen its numbers rise considerably in recent years, is praised for raising the aspirations of all pupils, as well as for the 'commitment of all staff to helping pupils in their personal and academic development'.
The report points to the school's success in improving its pupil's examination performance, which at levels is 'faster than the national trend'. The inspectors were particularly impressed with the school's resources for information technology, which enable pupils and Sixth Form students 'to reach high standards in their computing skills'.
Also singled out for praise is the good progress and 'very effective' support provided for pupils with special educational needs, and for those whose home language is not English. Results in the Sixth Form were described as particularly good, with the students being 'good role models for the younger pupils'. The inspectors were impressed, too, with the quality of the information provided for parents.
The report notes a small number of areas for improvement, related to aspects of the school's accommodation, long-term planning, developing written policy statements for literacy and numeracy, and links with business. It also observes that the younger boys are currently not studying textiles or food technology.
In the past, we have said that our aim was to make a good school better; our aim now is to make a very good school better still. As part of the school's ongoing improvement, we trust that our efforts to modernise some of our outdated buildings will be given appropriate support by the local authority and the government'.

A full report is available from the web site