A SOUTH Norfolk school has confirmed its place as one of the county's top secondary schools after being judged as “outstanding” for a second successive time by Ofsted inspectors.

A SOUTH Norfolk school has confirmed its place as one of the county's top secondary schools after being judged as “outstanding” for a second successive time by Ofsted inspectors.

Hobart High School in Loddon received the glowing report after a visit earlier this month, ensuring that it remains one of only three secondary schools in Norfolk which are graded currently at the highest level.

The other schools making up the elite trio are Wymondham College, and Reepham High School, which achieved its third consecutive “outstanding” grading by Ofsted last year.

With assessment areas marked on a scale of 1-4, and 1 defined as outstanding, Hobart High not only achieved the top score in overall effectiveness, but also notched up grade one in each of the other four main areas.

In their report inspectors praised the 831-pupil school, which takes pupils aged 11-16, and reads: “Hobart High school provides its students with an outstanding education. Under the excellent leadership of the headteacher, it has developed an exceptional ethos based on high expectations, mutual respect and the value placed on students' enjoyment and achievement.”

Inspectors reported that GCSE results are consistently high, with 75pc of students in Year 11 attaining five A* to C grades this year, while results in the majority of subjects exceeded the national average.

An extensive range of lunchtime and after school clubs, and fantastic sports and music facilities ensure that these subjects enjoy a high profile, while exclusion rates are low and the teaching is “outstanding”.

“The key to the school's success is the strong leadership of the headteacher,” the report reads. “Parents describe him as 'simply brilliant' and say that the leadership of the school is as good as any parent would want for their children.”

John Robson, who has been the school's headteacher for 10 years, said he was delighted with the outcome, saying: “I think what it does show is remarkable consistency in this school over a prolonged period of time.

“The report reflects the diligence and professionalism with which all members of the school community have worked since 2006.

“I'm justifiably proud to be associated with this school and with the leadership of this school.”

He added: “The school is not complacent and whilst we are all proud of our achievements, the leadership structures and governance at all levels demonstrate that we possess outstanding capacity for further improvement.”

He said that praise should go to staff, parents and particularly to pupils, saying: “This school would not be the school it is without their engagement in what we are doing. I can't speak highly enough of them.”