Gunnersbury Catholic School achieves high acclaim

Ofsted praises outstanding students and excellent teaching

Ofsted have praised exceptional teaching, excellent student achievements and outstanding management at Gunnersbury Catholic School.

Five inspectors from the Government standards body visited the boy's secondary school in Boston Manor Road between December 7- 8 2005. The report and comments testify the school is serving its 1,124 pupils very well.

John Heffernan, headteacher of Gunnersbury Catholic School, said “I am proud of the achievements of this wonderful school. The inspectors rightly recognised that Gunnersbury has continued to improve from a good starting point and is on track to achieve outstanding outcomes. “

Derek Bourn, chairman of governors, added “The governing body is delighted with the report, which rightly praises the work of an outstanding group of teachers and pupils. “

In her analysis, the lead inspector Emma Ing made the following conclusions:

• Teaching is good with some outstanding elements. Teachers engage students through a wide range of activities and are clear and sharp in their exposition

• The leadership team is ambitious for the school and members are rightly proud of its achievements

• Standards are high overall. Students attain good GCSE results (and) there is good curriculum provision, which meets the needs of all with a range of options available

• The personal development and wellbeing of students is an outstanding feature of the school.

She commented: “Gunnersbury is a happy and harmonious community; students are enthusiastic about their work and are responsible and purposeful.

“Many participate in the wide range of extra curricular activities provided by the school and contribute very fully to both the school and wider community.

“Teaching is good with some outstanding elements. Teachers engage students through a wide range of activities and are clear and share in their exposition.

“The Headteacher has nurtured a strong and vibrant leadership team, which has successfully ensured that students achieve high academic standards whilst contributing responsibly to the life of the community.

“Progress since the last inspection has been very good and leaders at all levels have the capacity to secure further improvements. The school is on track to achieve outstanding outcomes and rightly judges its leadership to be outstanding.

“The school’s strong religious ethos provides an excellent framework for spiritual reflection and moral development and students’ development in these areas is excellent.”

January 11, 2006