STUDENTS are celebrating after their secondary school was the first in the county to be recognised for its outstanding teaching for gifted pupils.

Oxford Spires Academy, in Glanville Road, is the first Oxfordshire secondary school to be awarded the National Association for Able Children in Education’s (NACE) Challenge Award.

It was praised for its strong provision for more able and talented students and its success in raising pupils’ achievements.

The award follows a 12 percentage point jump this year, to 61 per cent, in the number of pupils achieving five A* to C GCSE grades including English and maths.

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Oxford Spires principal Sue Croft said: “I am so proud of the whole school community.

“The students are exceptional and amazing and the teaching quality overwhelmingly outstanding. Parents and governors were so supportive too.

“As ever it was a full team effort and further recognition of the excellent provision in and beyond the classroom at Oxford Spires.”

The school received the award after a rigorous assessment on Friday, October 10.

Assessors spent a day at the East Oxford school and were impressed by its strong leadership and the support provided by governors.

They observed lessons, judged the quality of students’ work and interviewed pupils, teachers, parents and governors.

Head girl Esme Partridge, 17, said: “The special thing about Oxford Spires is the supportive relationship staff have with students.

“Whether you’re very able or have other needs, teachers work with you to reach your best.”

NACE chief executive Rowena Gaston said assessors had said the school had “an inspired workforce” which helped to bring the best out of students.

She added: “Oxford Spires Academy has worked hard to win the NACE Challenge Award status.

“It has shown itself to be committed to developing a school where all pupils are challenged to be the best they can be. There’s a whole school ethos of challenge. This is where Oxford Spires excels.”

Ms Gaston said focusing on more able students helped teachers to raise achievement levels for all pupils, including struggling students.

She added: “The more able and talented children are challenged and this helps the other learners to see what can be achieved.”

Schools hoping to receive the Challenge Award are given a framework of 10 points which they must meet to gain the award.

Ms Gaston said schools were assessed on their teaching and learning, communication with parents, involvement with local businesses, school resources and technology.

Education organisation and charity NACE was founded in 1983 to support teachers’ work in the classroom by providing advice, training and resources.

Oxford Spires Academy is the 324th school nationally to receive the Challenge Award.

It was rated good by Ofsted in July 2013 after opening in January 2011 and caters for more than 600 students from the Cowley and East Oxford areas.

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