SAY it loud and proud – we’re outstanding!

Delighted pupils and staff at Hedge End’s Wildern School are celebrating a special hat-trick after being given top marks by Ofsted inspectors for the third time in a row.

The 1,800-student secondary school was deemed “outstanding” in its latest official inspection, with the highest-possible grades across the board.

Lead inspector Peter Sanderson praised the way youngsters are pushed to achieve in all spheres, and the commitment shown to excellence by everyone at Wildern.

He said in his report: “The governing body, the head teacher and senior leaders expect all students to do as well as they possibly can in both their academic and personal development.

“These high expectations have been very effectively shared with, and embraced by, all the staff working in the school.

“Examination results attained by Year 11 students have been well above the national average for a number of years.

“The progress made by students between Years 7 and 11 is outstanding.

“The quality of teaching is outstanding.

“Teachers are highly skilled, enthusiastic and ambitious practitioners. Lessons are packed with a range of interesting activities and no time is wasted.

“Students are proud of their school and talk very positively about the range of opportunities it provides for them.

“Their behaviour in lessons and around the school site is exemplary.

“Out-standing teaching combines with students’ enthusiasm for learning to promote outstanding progress over time.

“The ambition and commitment of the head teacher to ensuring that all students reach their full potential is shared by her capable, committed team of leaders and managers.

“All staff are committed to this vision, with all 151 staff returning questionnaires reporting that they were proud to be a member of staff at the school.”

Head teacher Marie-Louise Litton said she believes the inspection reflects the hard work put in by everyone at Wildern to make it as good as it can be.

She said: “We are all delighted with our recent Ofsted report that judged all areas as outstanding.

“We are all very proud to work in such a fabulous school.

“Perhaps it was best summed up by the Lead HMI Inspector who described Wildern as a ‘special place’.”