A high school in Dereham is celebrating after its overall Ofsted rating was elevated from 'Satisfactory' to 'Good' following a recent inspection.

Northgate High School was visited by the education watchdog on October 10 and 11, with the inspection team awarding the second-highest Good rating for all criteria – the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management.

In his report, lead inspector Roger Waddingham says: 'Students' GCSE attainment has risen rapidly over the past two years and, overall, students reach average standards from below-average attainment on entry to the school. English results in particular have improved considerably at GCSE.

'Standards and progress in the sixth form have maintained consistently good levels.

'Students' behaviour is good overall, and sixth form students have mature attitudes to learning.

'Teaching is good in most subjects. Staff use their extensive subject knowledge to build on what students have learned previously.'

Headteacher Glyn Hambling said: 'I am very pleased that Ofsted recognised that our school is a 'good' school. The report reflects the wonderful relationship between students, staff and families of Northgate High School.

'We all know Northgate is a great school. We are a school which takes every opportunity to reflect on where we are now and where we need to be. The inspection has served as an additional tool for us in this respect and we will continue to drive on the standards across the school and ensure we get the best for every student at the school.'

Mr Hambling said achievement and standards had been a significant improvement focus for the school, with the proportion of students achieving five GCSE grades A*-C including English and mathematics, rising from below-average to above-average in the past three years.

He added: 'We are particularly proud that teaching in the sixth form by our staff was seen as a strength of the school and that our teachers use their impressive subject knowledge to explain clearly what students are to learn. Our students appreciate the challenge offered to them in lessons and they take a mature and responsible attitude to their learning.'

The report outlined areas where the school could improve further, including 'setting more challenging targets for younger students, especially in mathematics' and 'improving the arrangements for teaching and supporting the few disabled students, and those who have special educational needs'.

Mr Hambling said the recommendations would form the basis of the school's future improvement and development planning.