​PUPILS and staff at King Ethelbert in Birchington are celebrating an “outstanding” report from Ofsted.

Head teacher Kate Greig, 44, shared the good news in an announcement over the tannoy speaker, minutes after opening the schools inspector’s letter last Friday.

She said: “All I could hear was cheers throughout the school – it was like being outside a stadium.”

The top grade comes in the same year as the school was rated the second most improved in the country after upping its A-C passes in maths and English GCSEs to 34 per cent from 14.

That quashed fears the school might be forced to close for failing to meet the minimum Government standards of five GCSE exam passes in key subjects.

Executive head Paul Luxmoore, who oversees the school’s running as well as being in charge of Broadstairs’ Dane Court school, said that although the school’s exam attainment was not as high as some schools it did well in so-called value added terms which rates a school for how much it improves a pupil’s performance, as opposed to measuring its effectiveness solely on exam results.

During the Ofsted grading, four inspectors visited the school over two days, observing lessons, talking to students and staff and scrutinising monitoring systems before declaring the school as outstanding.

Former Walmer Science College deputy head teacher Mrs Greig, 44, who took over running the school with Mr Luxmoore in January, said: “One of the first things we did was recruit some good staff from Ireland to teach maths and English. We also got some mentors or support staff in to help work with small groups of pupils.”

The school identified 90 students whom it felt were able to pass five GCSEs, including English and maths and called in their parents.

Mrs Greig added: “We set a challenge for students with their parents and we rolled out this system across all the subjects.”

Deputy head teacher Terry Wright said: “That’s not to say we forgot about other students.

“We put extra resources into the second group of pupils to ensure they leave school with a minimum of five grade A star

to G.”

Mr Luxmoore said it was a huge team effort where teachers and students worked hard to get the grades.

Mrs Greig said it is more like a “large primary” than a secondary school and we are all part of a “large family”.

Mr Luxmoore said he used Dane Court Grammar School to help boost the confidence of King Ethelbert pupils.

He said: “We linked up with the heads of English and maths at Dane Court and from time to time year 11 students shared lessons. It was important to raise the confidence of the students.

“These kids are little geniuses and it’s important we make them belive they can do it.”

When Mr Luxmoore first met Mrs Greig there was an instant working bond.

Realising the task facing them upon their appointment, Mr Luxmore quipped: “I asked her ‘do you believe in magic?’ We formed a strong working relationship.

“We want to hit 40 per cent pass rates for five GCSEs, including English and maths and we will not stop – we have to get better and better.”

Mrs Greig added: “When things get bad, I sing down the tannoy.”

AMY BURRIDGE, 15, from Garlinge, said: “When I heard the news I was so happy I cheered. I told my mum and she was really pleased. I really like it here. THSL081209 burridge

JORDAN ROWE, 14, from Westgate, said: “It’s such a friendly school it’s like a grown up primary school. The teachers are really good here.” THSL081209rowe

ALEX HALL-DANIELS, 16, from Birchington is doing his mock GCSEs. He said: “This school has changed so much. The head teacher has really moved the school on and it’s a friendly and controlled environment.” THSL081209halldaniels

GEORGINA ANDERSON, 11, from Westgate, said: “I really like the school and the teachers. Everyone is so friendly.” THSL081209anderson

TYLA ROE, 16, from Westgate, said: “We are a really close school. It’s small and everyone is so helpful. I’m really happy here and will miss it when I leave.” THSL081209roe

ISAAC ROE, 11, is from Westgate and likes the sports facilities at the school. He said: “I like PE and maths. There are great facilities here like the sports hall.” THSL081209roe2

APRIL HARPER, 13, from Birchington, said: “I love it here. I enjoy art lessons and the food they serve is really healthy but I do like chips on a Friday.” THSL081209harper

JORDAN PRESSLY, 13, from Margate, said: “I like coming to school. My best subject is maths. I expected an outstanding Ofsted report and I was really pleased.” THSL081209pressley

EMILY THISTLETON, 12, from Birchington, said: “I enjoy the school, the teachers and meeting my classmates every day. I think the lessons are really good.” THSL081209thistleton