A Derby secondary school has been praised by Ofsted for creating a welcoming and inclusive community for its pupils.
Murray Park Community School, in Mickleover, has achieved its best Ofsted report to date following its latest inspection, with inspectors rating the personal development and wellbeing of its 1,210 pupils as Strong.
Inspectors praised the school’s pastoral care, careers programme and the opportunities it gives young people to experience life beyond the classroom.
They also highlighted its work teaching pupils about different cultures, faiths and viewpoints, saying this had helped create “a community school where pupils feel that they belong”.
The findings come as part of Ofsted’s new-style report cards, which assess schools across a number of different areas rather than giving them a single overall rating.
Murray Park achieved the Strong standard – above the expected standard – for personal development and wellbeing. Achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, leadership and governance and inclusion all met the “high standard” of expected.
Head girl Darcie Wileman, who will be presenting to next year’s potential cohort at the open evening on 17th September, said: “I am so proud to be a pupil at Murray Park. I feel we get a lot of opportunities here – the trips and after-school activities are excellent.
“The school is really supportive when it comes to wellbeing, and we have regular assemblies about it, to make sure everyone knows there is always help available.
“I’ve noticed that even the shyer pupils feel confident enough to suggest answers in class because it’s such a nice community here.”
Pupils take part in trips locally, nationally and abroad, while youngsters who might otherwise struggle to access extracurricular activities are given additional support to ensure they can take part.
Acting headteacher, George Hagen, who is currently leading the school whilst Mrs Caley, the substantive Headteacher, receives treatment for an illness, said: “We are incredibly proud to have received this Ofsted report, particularly under the new inspection framework.
“A special thank you must go to Nicola Caley, who has led the school for the past eight years and helped bring Murray Park to the point where we can achieve this recognition.
“We are especially proud that inspectors recognised something which is at the very heart of Murray Park – that every young person who comes through our doors should feel that they belong.
“We want our pupils to be happy, confident and safe, but also to understand the world around them, embrace opportunities and leave us ready for whatever comes next.
“This report belongs to our whole school community. Our pupils and staff work incredibly hard and it is wonderful to see their efforts recognised.”
The report found that pupils typically enjoy coming to Murray Park and described it as a welcoming environment where staff know youngsters as individuals, understand the barriers they may face to learning and provide the support they need to overcome them.
They also highlighted the school’s efforts to make sure opportunities are open to all pupils, praising its work to remove barriers to participation, particularly for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Inspectors also recognised pupils’ achievements in external examinations, with results – including those of disadvantaged pupils – typically close to the national average.
Murray Park’s careers programme was another area singled out for praise, with inspectors highlighting the personalised support available to help pupils understand their options and plan for life after school. That support continues beyond Year 11, helping students secure their next step in education, training or employment.
Inspectors also found pupils generally behave well, take pride in their work and are polite and well-mannered. Bullying was described as rare and dealt with effectively when it does occur.
Mr Hagen added: “We know there is always more we can do and the report gives us clear areas to continue working on.
“But what makes me particularly proud is the picture inspectors have painted of our wonderful pupils and our community.
“We want Murray Park to be a school where every child, whatever their background or the challenges they face, is known, supported and encouraged to aim high. That will continue to drive everything we do.”
Ofsted said school leaders and governors were passionate about creating an inclusive and community-focused school, while inspectors also recognised that teaching and pupils’ progress through the curriculum had improved over time.
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