HIGHCLIFFE School has been praised by government inspectors who highlighted “consistently good” teaching and “courteous and friendly” students.

Ofsted has rated the school as good overall following a two-day inspection carried out in March.

The school, in Parkside, caters for 1,447 students, including 265 in the sixth form, aged between 11 and 19.

The Ofsted report said: “Students achieve high results that compare favourably with those of students in similar schools.

“Teaching is consistently good. The sixth form is good and provides a wide range of academic courses.”

It also praised the way the students behave, said attendance is good and said the head teacher, Judith Potts, and her senior team are “visible, tireless and work with the common purpose of improving the school.”

Inspectors observed 46 lessons and met with senior staff, teachers, students and governors.

They also considered the view of parents.

They said the school is not yet outstanding because: “Students are not achieving exceptionally well because there is some variation in the quality of teaching. In a small number of lessons teachers miss opportunities to challenge students or match activities to the abilities of the students.”

They also said some students do not make enough progress in mathematics.