Published: 26 January 2012
by TOM FOOT

SCHOOL inspectors have praised teachers and pupils at Haverstock School.

Ofsted visited the Haverstock Hill secondary school in December and in its final report released this week rated it as “good” with “good” capacity to improve.

Headteacher John Dowd got a special mention in the inspection report for his “inspirational leadership”.

The school, where former pupil and ex-Foreign Secretary David Miliband has taught A-level politics students, last year stepped away from plans to become an academy school due to protests from staff and parents.

Ofsted said: “Haverstock is a good school, where attainment is rising quickly and students make good progress.

The quality of teaching is good and an increasing proportion of lessons are outstanding.

The curriculum is broad, balanced and carefully tailored to meet students’ diverse and challenging needs.”

Mr Dowd, who has led the school for 12 years, said: “I think this report captures what we do well at Haverstock.

“We have a mandate to become a truly excellent school in every sense and an outstanding Ofsted judgment is within our grasp.

Our number one priority is to continue to raise attainment and build on the significant improvements in teaching and learning.”

Pictured from left: student Elizabeth Omisanya, 13, head John Dowd, students Mallek Rackal, 17, Ikram Hassan, 11, Leah Busow, 13, Tom McCarthy, 11, and Coleman Bohn, 11