AN Ellesmere Port secondary school has undergone a "transformation" and received a 'Good' Ofsted inspection for the first time.

The Ellesmere Port Church of England College (EPC), on Whitby Road, was inspected by Ofsted in March and was rated 'good' in all five key areas.

The five key judgement areas are Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development and Leadership and Management, and Sixth Form provision.

EPC has undergone a "planned transformational journey" with the aim of making the school one of the best schools in the country that families in Ellesmere Port would be proud of.

The report said: "Pupils told inspectors that this school is a happy and safe place to learn" and "pupils rise to leaders’ high expectations for their learning and behaviour". 

This transformation started with recruiting a new principal, Cath Green, in March 2019 with a track record in turning schools around.

By September 2019 an experienced team of teachers had been assembled.

Ofsted added: "Staff are proud to work at the school."

A new Local Governing Body was recruited by the Trust providing key areas of expertise and knowledge of the local community.

Mrs Green said: "We are delighted by the outcome and a big thank you to staff, students, families, governors, trustees, and the local community who have been very supportive over the years.

"I am extremely proud of everything that we have been able to achieve, and together with the Frank Field Education Trust, we look forward to continuing the College’s strong upward trajectory. Our students deserve the best quality of education and there are no limits to what they can achieve here. Our community can be proud of our College, and we are delighted to serve them at the heart of Ellesmere Port."

Ofsted stated: "The governors and trustees are experienced and well equipped to provide high levels of challenge and support to leaders" and "Leaders have designed a broad and ambitious curriculum…Teachers have strong subject knowledge…Pupils with SEND learn the same ambitious curriculum as their peers."

The Trust has invested significant resources into changing the culture and attitude towards learning both from pupils and our community and as a result.

The report said: "Pupils get on well together. Pupils behave well in lessons and around school.

"Sixth-form students are excellent role models for younger pupils in the school. They take on positions of responsibility, including running the student leadership team."

The educational experiences have also been transformed for pupils. 30 pupils went on a trip to Hong Kong this term to visit partner schools, fully funded by the trust.

'We are thrilled that this College has received such a positive report'

Chris Hampshire, Chair of the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) said: "The school was the first school to join the Frank Field Education Trust in December 2018, with the aim of achieving Social Justice through Excellence in Education.

"The Department for Education asked FFET to take over the running of the school because the team we had assembled had a track record of turning around schools in difficulty. The school had a long history of under-achievement and had failed to serve the needs of its community.

"We are thrilled that this College has received such a positive report from the government watchdog Ofsted."