Re-branded school toasts best-ever Ofsted rating

Staff and students at Selston High School are celebrating after it achieved its first ever ‘good’ rating from inspectors at Ofsted.
Selston High School Head teacher, Kevin Gaiderman, right, pictured with some of his pupils.Selston High School Head teacher, Kevin Gaiderman, right, pictured with some of his pupils.
Selston High School Head teacher, Kevin Gaiderman, right, pictured with some of his pupils.

The Chapel Road school has moved from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’ following a period of big changes that has included the appointment of headteacher Kevin Gaiderman and a rebrand from its old identity of Selston Arts and Community College.

During their visit in February, inspectors identified that ‘the large majority of teaching is good and some is outstanding’ which is having ‘a positive impact on the attainment and progress of students’.

Mr Gaiderman said that improving the quality of teaching had been one of his specific targets and everyone associated with the school is ‘absolutely delighted’ with the Ofsted findings.

“We have made exceptional progress in the last two years and everybody has worked incredibly hard, including staff, governors and the students,” he said.

The inspectors found that students make good progress at the school, including in English, maths and science.

This means that from coming into year 7 with attainment slightly below average, students achieve in line with the national average in their GCSE exams.

The behaviour and attitudes of students are highlighted as being good in the report and they say they feel ‘very safe’ at school and are ‘extremely well cared for’.

Mr Gaiderman added that the school’s aim now is to keep improving its standards.

“We do want to be an outstanding institution and provide that level of education for our students,” he added.

Ofsted’s report on Selston High School states that the rebrand has had ‘a very positive impact on its community’ and has instilled pride into the school.

Headteacher Kevin Gaiderman said it has brought ‘a clear ethos with regards to high standards of teaching, behaviour, high expectations and clear aspirational goals’.

Head girl Charlotte Hodson added: “Now people want to be here and are proud to wear the uniform.”

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