Staff and pupils at Coulsdon High School are celebrating a positive Ofsted report which credited teachers for surpassing national standards.

The Ofsted inspectors described Coulsdon High, which teaches 804 pupils aged 11 to 16, as a “good school” which is “skilfully led and effectively managed.”

Fourteen inspectors examined 171 questionnaires, spoke to 26 parents and witnessed 186 lessons during the inspection period from January 29 until February 2 .

The report described 61 per cent of lessons as either good or very good and 93 per cent of lessons were considered satisfactory and concluded that Coulsdon High pupils were doing better than similar schools in the country.

The report highlighted above national average achievements in English, science, history, drama, design & technology and music in Years 10 & 11.

But it emphasised a need to raise standards in modern languages, geography and improve the progress of those under-achieving in maths.

Headboy Darren de Claro said: “The inspection week was a bit tense for everyone but we were determined to show the inspectors what a great school this is.”

Headteacher Pat Mennie said: “We are delighted with the report, it means so much to our pupils to know that we have been judged a good school. In today's competitive marketplace it gives them confidence when applying for jobs or college places. The chair of the board of governors, David Howard said: “Governors are determined to build on the school's recent success. For example, we very much hope that the bid for Technology College status which we have recently submitted to the DFEE will help us to do so.”