A Greenwich secondary school has been praised by Ofsted after inspectors found pupils and staff to be happy and thriving.

Ark Greenwich Free School, based on Shooters Hill Road, was inspected on April 25 and 26 and found to be 'outstanding'.

Inspectors found that pupils at this school receive an “excellent education” and “excel in their learning”.

Ofsted found that leaders are equally ambitious for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who have access to the same curriculum and achieve equally well.

Pupils who are referred to as “scholars” at Ark Greenwich Free School were found to embody the school’s values of “ambition, growth, fellowship and scholarship”.

It was reported that there is a strong emphasis on character development at this school.

Inspectors believe that this is because pupils are encouraged to stand “shoulder to shoulder with anyone they meet” as well as being “loud and proud”.

Ofsted reported that pupils are encouraged to “articulate clearly” and “show respect” for one another and members of their community.

One pupil told Ofsted that “personal development is the heartbeat of the school”.

Pupils at Ark Greenwich Free School play an active role in the school community, for example older pupils mentor the younger pupils.

Staff at the school have “exceptionally high expectations” when it comes to behaviour and Ofsted reported that pupils “understand, appreciate and rise to meet these”.

Classrooms were found to be “calm and orderly” and, according to Ofsted, incidents of bullying are rare.

If bullying does happen, pupils told Ofsted that they know who to tell and leaders deal with it quickly.

Teachers work together every week to “review and refine how the curriculum is taught”, planning lessons for pupils.

Inspectors found that leaders at the school have “created a culture of reading” and that the curriculum for reading is “meticulously planned” to make sure that all pupils benefit from getting to read every day.

Staff at the school told Ofsted that leaders are conscious of staff workload and wellbeing and are “committed to achieving excellence in a sustainable way”.

Ofsted reported that teachers here feel high levels of professional satisfaction.

One teacher told inspectors: “This school pushes me to be the best teacher I can be.”

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Headteacher Rhys Spiers said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the school community who have worked so hard to make AGFS the school it is today.

“From our committed governors, trustees and parents, to the dedicated and expert staff; this achievement has been a team effort, which the whole community can be proud of.  

“Most of all, I would like to pay tribute to our wonderful scholars (pupils) – who are thriving and breaking down barriers.

“They are the leaders of the future and what a bright future they have!  

“While the publication of this report represents an important milestone in this school’s journey, it is by no means the final destination.

“We can achieve even more, and this is what we intend to do. Our aim is to further enhance provision for the children of Greenwich and to ensure that AGFS remains a beacon of secondary education for years to come. 

“I am extremely proud of what we are achieving here at AGFS and thank you wholeheartedly for your continued support.”