STAFF and students at The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre are celebrating after it was rated “good” in an Ofsted report.

Inspectors visited the Stourport Road school from Wednesday, January 25 until Thursday, January 26 and said academic standards were “above average”.

The report said: “This is a good school. Good leadership and strong staff commitment to the school are bringing about improved achievement for all students.

“Teachers have good subject knowledge that inspires and motivates students.”

It added, however: “Where teaching is satisfactory, teachers do not challenge and engage all students quickly enough in lessons.”

The report said although a few students could become distracting to others, overall behaviour was good and the school kept students safe.

To improve, the report said: “The school must improve the quality of teaching in Key Stage 3 and plan lesson activities that challenge the full range of student ability.

“It must ensure the consistent application of its marking policy so all students know how well they are progressing.”

Commenting on the sixth form, it said: “The progress of students accelerated in 2011 because of systematic increases to the taught time per subject.”

Provision for students with special educational needs was described as “effective”.

The school was inspected under the new Ofsted inspection framework introduced in January.

It was rated “good” in each of the four new categories - achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

Headteacher, Julie Reilly, said the new framework was “rigorous and robust”.

She added: “The Bewdley team are pleased that their dedication and commitment to improvement has been acknowledged.

“Our Ofsted report has praised our curriculum and endorsed the school’s achievements as above average, especially in English and mathematics.”

According to Ofsted, an overall “good” rating means the school is “serving its pupils well”.