Ofsted ratings for secondary schools in Huntingdonshire

As things stand, five of the nine secondary schools inspected by Ofsted across Huntingdonshire have achieved the top two grades in their last inspection reports.

Leading the way is the Samuel Pepys Special School in St Neots, which was the only school in the district to achieve the prestigious 'Outstanding' overall grading.

Four secondary schools received respectable 'Good' ratings from Ofsted, but four other schools have 'Requires Improvement' ratings.

Secondary schools all accept pupils aged between 11 and 16, or 11 and 18 and currently, 16.7 per cent of them across the UK as a whole are rated 'Outstanding', and 63.6 per cent are rated 'Good'.

Take a look at our interactive map to see where the top-rated schools in the district are, and read below to find out what Ofsted had to say about them in their inspection reports.

Samuel Pepys School, St Neots (Outstanding)

Samuel Pepys School was the only school to have received an 'Oustanding' grading in Huntingdonshire, which it received on May 16, 2019.

Samuel Pepys School caters for pupils with SEND, and these range from moderate learning difficulties to profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The inspector's report said that all pupils feel "safe, happy and well cared for" and are welcoming, polite and a "credit to the school."

Staff were noted as having a deep understanding of pupils' needs, with their training allowing them to utilise a range of techniques to help pupils progress.

The inspector's report said: "Staff are determined to improve pupils' lives. They are patient, sensitive and understanding of pupils' requirements."

Abbey College, Ramsey (Good)

Abbey College in Ramsey received its 'Good' rating following a full inspection on April 19, 2018, and a subsequent monitoring visit on May 6, 2021, found no need to change the rating.

In the 2018 inspection report, leaders and governors were highlighted as establishing a culture of high expectations and aspirations for pupils.

According to the report: "The sixth form provides a broad range of opportunities for students. Students make good progress in their courses, and almost all move on to their chosen career or education pathway."

A monitoring report was undertaken by Ofsted in 2021 after it was made aware of concerns regarding the school's handling of complaints and aspects of safeguarding, including those relating to pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning.

However, following the inspection, inspectors found that safeguarding was still effective.

The inspection report said: "Leaders have strengthened their approach to collecting and evaluating information about pupils' behaviour, attendance and attitudes to learning, including through listening to pupils' views."

Sawtry Village Academy (Good)

Sawtry Village Academy was rated as 'Good' following a full inspection published on February 26, 2018, and a monitoring visit on November 11, 2020, found that the school was still 'Good'.

According to the full inspection report, leaders had successfully navigated the school through turbulent times since its previous inspection in 2015, where it was rated as 'Requires Improvement'.

The inspection report said: "The sixth form provides an outstanding education.

"Achievement overall has been significantly above average for the previous two years.

"Strong teaching and a very supportive pastoral system are enabling students to follow ambitious career pathways."

To improve even further, it was recommended that the school improve the consistency of teaching by ensuring they embrace leaders' high expectations and promote a strong culture of reading.

St Peter's School, Huntingdon (Good)

St Peter's School received its 'Good' rating on March 28, 2017, and a subsequent inspection report published on November 29, 2022, said it continues to be a 'Good' school.

Inspectors found that pupils were confident and happy at the school and polite to visitors.

"Pupils say that they feel safe and enjoy positive relationships with their teachers. They say that staff have high expectations of their behaviour and want them to be successful," added the report.

Leaders were acknowledged to have worked hard to improve behaviour across the school, with the number of suspensions and referrals for poor behaviour dramatically reducing since the 2017 report.

To improve further, Inspectors recommended that in a small number of subjects, teachers need to act more effectively at helping pupils to remember what they are learning.

READ MORE: What are the outstanding primary schools in Huntingdonshire?

Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon (Good)

A report found that Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon, "continues to be a good school" following an inspection on November 9, 2021.

Pupils at the school were found to be "very well supported" to take the next steps in their futures when they leave school, thanks to leaders who are ambitious for pupils' personal development and academic achievement.

Leaders at the school were noted as addressing the issues raised at the last inspection to improve the quality of education.

"Teachers now know their subjects well. They have thought carefully about how they plan and teach the curriculum," said the report.

Whilst the curriculum changes have been managed effectively, inspectors recommended that a few subjects, including languages, need to establish the revised plans better to improve even more.

'Requires Improvement'

Below is a map of the underperforming schools in the district, all rated overall as 'Requires Improvement' by Ofsted.

READ MORE: St Neots secondary school 'requires improvement' says Ofsted

St Ivo Academy, St Ives, Longsands Academy, Ernulf Academy and Riverside Meadows Academy, all in St Neots, were given the second lowest Ofsted grading of 'Requires Improvement'.