A Totton secondary school has lost its outstanding Ofsted rating - but still remains a good school, inspectors found.

Hounsdown School in Totton was graded ‘good’ in its latest Ofsted report following a two-day inspection at the beginning of June - having previously received top marks in a 2017 graded inspection.

Despite the overall grade being lower, inspectors still praised the popular comprehensive that has 1,296-pupils at its Jacob Gutter Lane site.

The report said that the personal development of the children was “outstanding,” and that staff feel “well led and managed” and describe the school as a “delightful place in which to work.”

Headteacher David Veal said: “I continue to be proud and privileged to serve a school community working so hard to teach and support young people growing up in the challenging post-Covid world.

“It is extremely pleasing that this was recognised in our personal development education and support, including our well-being provision. 

“I was pleased to read that our pupils’ ‘character and awareness of the world around them are developed very well', as this reflects our school ambition for every young person to ‘Be The Best That They Can Be’ - the best versions of themselves and who are proud of their own personal progress.”

The result of this inspection follows the prediction of an ungraded inspection last year, which said: “Evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded inspection were carried out now.”

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The latest report said inspectors were impressed with the high expectations of pupils who are “keen to succeed” and “value all the ways in which their teachers support and motivate them".

The curriculum was described as “rich, well-designed and varied", teachers are “knowledgeable and passionate” and “relationships between staff and pupils are strong".

Hounsdown School (Image: Google Street View)

He added: “We value the feedback from the Ofsted written report and recognise the challenge to ensure as leaders we are even more robust in monitoring and evaluating school improvement priorities.

“Staff time is precious, and we want to ensure we use it as wisely as possible, including actions we have already taken to further support the small numbers of students with remote education.

“I’d like to thank students and parents for their continued commitment to the community as well as all the staff and trustees who work so hard to make our school what it is.”