ONE of the schools targeted in an Ofsted inspection blitz of the East Riding has been rated as "outstanding" in all categories.
South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College was one of the first to be inspected when the regulator announced a standards sweep of East Riding schools last month.
Inspection teams went into 15 primary and secondary schools to find out why so many are under-performing.
Ofsted ordered the blitz after 35 per cent of East Riding schools were judged to be less than "good" compared with a national average of 23 per cent.
Following a two-day inspection at South Hunsley, Ofsted has reported the Melton secondary was outstanding across the board.
It is now the only outstanding secondary in the East Riding after Beverley Grammar School and Beverley High School were each stripped of their top rating last month and told to improve.
South Hunsley, which broke away from council control to become an academy in 2010, was previously rated as good.
The academy's executive principal Chris Abbott said: "What was very noticeable about this inspection was the inspectors spent almost all their time in the classroom and a lot of time talking to children, that is the big change.
"In the past they spent a lot of time talking to headteachers, leaders and governors and less time in the classroom and less time talking to children.
"The change in focus is about what is really going on in the classroom and what the children are saying about their experience – I don't think anyone could argue with that."
Ofsted rated South Hunsley as outstanding across the board for overall effectiveness, achievement, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, leadership and management.
Miss Abbott said: "The big thing we have done is we have concentrated on teaching and learning.
"We have really put a lot of effort into improving the quality for students, the experience in the classroom and making sure when students need any extra support they are getting it."
Ofsted described Miss Abbott as an "inspirational" leader, whose passion for excellence has been fully embraced by her team.
Inspectors reported the focus for driving improvement in teaching has been the cornerstone to the improvement in students' achievements across the school.
Strong performance management arrangements challenge and support staff in improving their skills.
Teachers' pay is linked to their success in hastening students' progress in lessons and in delivering the best lessons possible. Robust action is taken if teaching is not good enough.
Ofsted said the principal, senior leaders and governors are rigorous in checking the quality of teaching and only the best is good enough.
A relentless focus on improving the sixth form has paid dividends and the sixth form is also outstanding.
Students thrive during their time at South Hunsley. Not only do they achieve highly, they develop into confident, mature and thoughtful young people. Students are very well-prepared for their future lives.
Ofsted is expected to publish further inspection reports in the coming weeks.
