Cherwell Retains Its Ofsted Outstanding Rating

The Cherwell School in Oxford has retained its Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

The secondary school in Marston Ferry Road received the top grading after inspectors from the national school standards watchdog visited in October.

Cherwell headteacher Chris Price said: “We are very pleased with the report. We feel it is a fair and accurate reflection of the work that happens consistently in our school.

“I am delighted for the staff who work so expertly and care so deeply about the school. It is wonderful that their commitment to The Cherwell and to the students has been recognised in this way.

“We are especially pleased that the report does draw out so many positive things about our students. They are a unique group of young people and we are very fortunate to work with them each day.

“The report does not highlight any significant areas for improvement but as a school we remain restless to keep developing further.”

RLT chief executive Paul James, himself a former headteacher at The Cherwell, said: “This is a fabulous outcome, particularly in the context of Ofsted’s more challenging framework.

“I know from personal experience what a special place The Cherwell School is and we are delighted that Ofsted have recognised the fantastic work and achievements of staff and students.”

Cherwell’s report was released in the week it was revealed that 83 per cent of previously Outstanding-rated schools were downgraded after being reinspected by Ofsted since September 2021.

A new criterion for inspections, introduced in September 2019, has moved the focus from exam results to the curriculum and overall quality of education.

The new inspection framework has made the Outstanding grade more “challenging and exacting”, according to Ofsted director of education Chris Russell.