A school where “pupils' voices are heard” was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

Roding Valley High School headteacher Sharon Jenner said she is “very proud” after the school was inspected over two days in September.

The school, in Alderton Hill, Loughton, was given the highest possible rating ('outstanding') for its sixth form and ‘good’ in all other categories.

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In the report, the Ofsted inspectors said: “Pupils are proud to attend Roding Valley High School. From the time they arrive in year seven, to when they leave the sixth form, they respond to leaders’ high expectations.”

The secondary school students, who were praised as being calm, polite, and friendly told inspectors they valued how the school listened to them.

This included installing water dispensers and implementing the Halo Code, which pledges schools to “champion the right of staff and students to embrace all Afro-hairstyles”, as a result of pupil’s requests.

Mrs Jenner said: “I am very proud of this school and the quality of education that we offer.

"As we endeavour to continuously improve, we remain committed to every child, both their academic success and personal well-being.

"We will continuously self-evaluate and make further improvements as we aspire to be the very best that we can be, serving all our children in our local community."

Two areas for the school to improve in were identified.

Teachers “on occasion” were found not to that pupils understood what they were learning well enough, meaning students would move onto new content “without being secure about what they have learned before”.

School leaders were also told they need to monitor student participation in extra-curricular activities more closely to encourage take-up.

Epping Forest Guardian: Roding Valley High School Head Boy Daniel Mehr and Head Girl Tolani Aradeon Roding Valley High School Head Boy Daniel Mehr and Head Girl Tolani Aradeon (Image: Everything Local News)

The sixth form was particularly praised. Inspectors added: “In the sixth form, students show an exceptional commitment to the school community.”

Sixth form teachers were found to have especially strong subject knowledge with students benefiting from a “rich personal development curriculum” which helps them develop commitment to education and the community.

In its last inspection, in 2013, before becoming an academy, the school was rated good.