Pupils at Parliament Hill School

A SECONDARY school has returned to the top of the ratings after a visit from Ofsted. Parliament Hill School in Highgate Road, High­gate, is now officially an “outstanding” school in the eyes of inspectors.

It last earned the top score in 2010, but then dropped to “good” in Ofsted’s grading system three years later. An Ofsted team who visited in May ruled it should now go up again.

Headteacher Sarah Creasey said: “The outcome is testament to the tremendous commitment of all staff who work so hard to make Parliament Hill a unique place to be.“Inspectors were impressed by the learning that they saw in lessons and the confidence, individuality and sense of belonging that is built on strong relationships in our community.”

Parliament Hill School opened as Kentish Town County Secondary School in 1906. Miss Morant, the school’s first headteacher declared that women should be “enabled to use their talents to the full and they should be the equal of men in education”.

The new Ofsted report said: “This school is driven by its ethos to support all pupils to be ‘high-achieving and happy’.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are exceptionally well supported. “Staff know pupils well and have very high expectations for them. The school provides an ambitious curriculum, where pupils develop secure subject knowledge.”

The school’s alumni includes former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes and Glastonbury headliner Dua Lipa, and has always been a sought-after choice for families in Camden whether graded good or outstanding.“

Pupils achieve highly, including in national examinations, and are fully prepared for the next stage of their education, employment or training,” the inspectors said.  “Pupils conduct themselves well in lessons and around the school.”

Danny Silverstone, chair of Governors said: “This is the result of a great deal of hard work over many years by our staff and students under the inspiring leadership of Sarah Creasey, our headteacher. “It is also a tribute to our wider school community including Camden Council who have been so supportive through our journey towards outstanding status. I am convinced that the future for our school will be bright.”

The new Labour government said before last week’s general election that it was planning to scrap “headline grades” in Ofsted’s inspection system in favour of new “report cards” to provide more nuance and wider detail for parents. The current process has been regularly criticised for boiling the work of a school down into a one-word verdict, and piling huge pressure on staff and headteachers during inspection visits.