Pupils and staff at Vale of Berkeley College are praised

Ofsted inspectors who visited the school in Wandswell said staff and pupils were happy, hard working and proud to be there.

The school, which has 287 pupils aged between 11 and 16, was rated good overall with particular praise being heaped on the relationships staff forge with each individual pupil.

Inspectors also commented on the fact that standards are getting better all the time.

The report says: "Vale of Berkeley College is a good and improving school. The college's good attention to individual students is encouraged by its small size.

"This distinctive feature enables all students to feel valued and safe."

The report said that although standards are ‘below average’ they are improving and most children make good progress from often "low starting points".

Many pupils transfer to the college with a history of poor achievement and the inspectors praised staff for encouraging better attainment particularly in the GCSE years.

The report continued: "The college's GCSE results in 2008 were the best for several years and there are encouraging signs that these improvements are being maintained.

"Very few students leave with no qualifications. They are proud to attend and most develop good personal skills, which set them up well for the future.

"Behaviour around the college and in lessons is polite and courteous.

"The college's approach to the care and support of all students is fundamental to its philosophy."

Headteacher Aidan Farrell said he was very proud of what the staff and pupils had achieved.

He said: "Our recent Ofsted report made it clear that the school is doing very well.

"The inspectors said that they saw happy, hard working, successful children.

"The inspectors also said that the school had a 'climate of trust and respect' and this was backed up by a child telling them that 'everybody knows everybody'.

"Staff and pupils are delighted with the outcome of the inspection and I am extremely proud of everyone here at the school."