HINCHINBROOKE School is satisfactory and improving according to inspectors from Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education. Following a recent inspection, Ofsted reported that Hinchingbrooke has a good sixth form, and the overall effectiveness of the s

HINCHINBROOKE School is satisfactory and improving according to inspectors from Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education.

Following a recent inspection, Ofsted reported that Hinchingbrooke has a good sixth form, and the overall effectiveness of the school was satisfactory.

The report said that the headteacher, Keith Nancekievill, senior staff and governors set a clear direction for the school and its development plan was well-focused, despite a budget deficit and difficulty in recruiting staff in some subjects.

It said standards at key stage three were above average, though key stage four was average. However, Year 11 standards had improved since the previous year.

The report said that about a quarter of parents responded to the inspection questionnaire with over two thirds very positive about the school.

However, there was a significant minority that was concerned about disruptive behaviour in a few lessons - although behaviour seen by inspectors was generally good.

"Students' personal development is good. Their attendance is outstanding. They take on leadership roles, especially older students and participate well in the wide range of opportunities available to them," they wrote. "They are encouraged to make their views known on the school's provision and sixth form students feed back on the quality of learning through subject panels."

The report says care for pupils is good with good arrangements for smooth transfer from primary school.

Headteacher Mr Nancekievill said he was pleased with the report: "I am delighted that the inspectors acknowledged so many good and outstanding features in what, under the new streamlined criteria, became a very satisfactory report.

"The whole school had made strong improvement since the last inspection and has good capacity to improve still further.

"Our sixth form is popular and expanding and our standards have been judged by Ofsted as good. Students' personal development is outstanding and their participation in extra curricular activities is good."

To improve further, the inspectors said pupils should make as good progress at key stage four as they do at stage three. The consistency of teaching across the subjects should be improved by effective lesson planning and feedback to pupils about their work, monitoring progress and performance should be equally effective across all areas of the school's work.