Top marks for W6 school

Tuesday March 9, 2010

A Hammersmith school has been awarded top marks for the second inspection in a row.

William Morris Sixth Form in St Dunstan's Road received an outstanding overall grade from inspectors, who visited the school in February, after receiving the same grade in 2006.

They commended the school for its wide range of qualifications and excellent teacher-pupil relationships.

With pupils from a variety of backgrounds, the Ofsted report praised the school for its 'highly inclusive ethos' and 'calm atmosphere of racial harmony'.

"We are absolutely delighted," said headmaster Kevin Gilmartin, 49, who lives in Putney. "It shows the hard work of all the staff and the students of course."

Roughly 80 per cent of the school's A-level students go on to university, with two of the students being offered Oxbridge places for this autumn.

Students can opt for traditional A-levels ranging from maths and science to Italian and photography, or vocational courses in art and design, business or health, and even social care.

The school also won praise for its extracurricular programmes, which include sport and dance classes, involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh award and even trips to a school in Uganda, with 12 students set to travel there this Easter.

Ofsted inspects all schools in England, with schools judged good or better visited once in a five-year period, and being given just one or two days' notice.

Following the news, H&F cabinet member Sarah Gore said: "To get one outstanding Ofsted report is a great achievement, but to achieve back-to-back outstanding inspections marks out the William Morris Sixth Form as truly exceptional.

"I would like to extend my congratulations to Kevin Gilmartin, his staff and all the students of the college who make William Morris the centre of excellence that it clearly is.

"I look forward to the school receiving many more excellent Ofsted reports in the years to come."