Hardenhuish School in Chippenham says it is delighted with the latest Ofsted report which ranked the school as good, despite it being classed as outstanding in its last report five years ago.
Inspectors visited the school at the end of April, for the first time since it converted to academy status in September 2010.
Headteacher Jan Hatherell said it showed a “better” result than last time and blamed the apparent downgrading on the inspection framework becoming tougher.
She said: “It has not gone down; it is a different framework with different criteria. This is not a reduction in our ability; the result is better this time. The government raised the bar in the way schools are rated.”
The report says: “In the best teaching, teachers use their subject knowledge to plan engaging activities, focused on building on students’ prior knowledge and encouraging high levels of participation.”
It said exam results were higher than average and behaviour was good.
“Students are respectful and courteous to each other and are polite and helpful,” said the report.
A drive to improve literacy was praised and said to be having an impact, as well as good leadership from the head.
Mrs Hatherell said: “Ofsted recognised our parents are pleased with the progress their children make at our school, and with the quality of teaching. There are always things to work at, and we have never been complacent.”
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