Rochester Grammar School loses 'Outstanding' rating after Ofsted inspection

A Kent grammar school has lost its 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating following its first inspection in 15 years.

Despite impressing the education watchdog, Rochester Grammar's score has been downgraded to 'Good' amid government concessions that it is "tougher than ever" to achieve top marks.

Inspectors described the selective school in Maidstone Road - which is now an academy - as having a "very calm, courteous and respectful" culture.

Their report says pupils respect the high standards the school sets for them and that they believe in the school motto, ‘Transforming Life Chances’.

Pupils also spoke passionately about how important the school has been in shaping their future, and one sixth-form student said: "Being here has built my confidence and helped to develop my character."

Children feel safe at the school, and class behaviour is calm and respectful, the report added after the inspection in January.

Inspectors stated that "leaders have an aspirational vision for providing pupils with a high-quality education".

Teachers’ subject knowledge was also found to be strong and the school’s personal, social and health education was well planned.

Inspectors said the curriculum is "well designed to give all pupils the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life".

The school was also praised for being “broad, ambitious, and well-planned” in almost every subject.

In the sixth form, there is a clear focus on helping students to mature into young adults and they are given opportunities to think broadly about global issues.

Older students value their careers education and how it helps them make informed choices about their future education, apprenticeship, or employment options.

Throughout the school, there is a strong safeguarding culture, inspectors said.

However, in some subjects the support for disadvantaged pupils is not implemented consistently well, and as a result some disadvantaged pupils do not achieve as well as they could.

Additionally, some pupils do not feel that their views are taken into account by staff and leaders.

The school’s latest exam results found 61% of GCSE grades to be a seven or above, and sixth form pupils achieved an average point score of 35 for their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 2022.

School principal Clare Brinklow said: "We are really pleased to see our school’s great work praised throughout this report.

"Our students and staff work exceptionally hard and are dedicated to achieving their best.

"Our students achieve outstanding academic results and receive excellent extra-curricular education and pastoral care."

In response to the school losing its previous outstanding rating, a spokesman said: "RGS’s previous Ofsted inspection was 15 years ago.

"There have been a number of Ofsted frameworks since then. The current inspection framework is significantly different, and far fewer schools are being rated Outstanding under it, with about 80% of schools previously rated Outstanding having their judgement changed.

"You have probably seen the DfE comment that being judged Outstanding is now 'tougher than ever', something that Ofsted head Amanda Spielman has also said.

"The DfE also said in relation to this that 'despite raising the bar schools need to reach, the government has rapidly improved school standards, thanks to the tireless efforts of school leaders' – essentially that a school’s standards and quality can remain just as high even if it is now rated Good. That’s the case with RGS.

"So – to be rated as Good in all areas, and Good overall, is an excellent achievement of which we are very proud, and we are pleased that the school’s great work is praised throughout this report."