Norham High School’s transformation recognised with Exceptional Ofsted judgements
Last year, we were joined on The Schools North East Podcast by Terry Conway, Head Teacher of Norham High School, who shared the story of a school that had undergone a remarkable transformation. He spoke about rebuilding confidence, changing perceptions and creating an environment where pupils and staff could feel proud to belong.
In 2019, Norham was struggling, and Terry spoke openly about the work involved in turning the school around. At the heart of that journey was a belief in what the school and its pupils could achieve, and a determination to build a culture in which both staff and young people could thrive.
The school’s latest Ofsted inspection provides significant recognition of how far the school has come. Inspectors judged attendance and behaviour, inclusion, and leadership and governance to be Exceptional. Achievement, curriculum and teaching, and personal development and wellbeing were judged Strong, with safeguarding standards also met.
Beyond the inspection judgements, this is a story of transformation and new beginnings for Norham High School. The school has worked hard to rebuild its culture and create a fresh sense of purpose for the future.
A school where every pupil is known and valued
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the inspection is the quality of relationships across Norham. Inspectors found that pupils have a genuine sense of belonging and enjoy highly positive relationships with staff. Pupils described the school as friendly and welcoming, and said they feel safe and proud to be part of it.
That sense of belonging is reflected in the way the school supports its pupils. Leaders have worked hard to understand individual needs and remove barriers to learning, with staff knowing young people exceptionally well and providing support that helps them take part fully in school life.
This approach has also helped improve attendance, including among pupils who had struggled to attend in previous settings. Through personalised support and strong relationships with families, the school has helped more young people build confidence in coming to school regularly. Inspectors also recognised how well pupils with education, health and care plans are included in daily school life, including those attending Norham’s specialist provisions. The local authority recognises the school as a beacon of inclusion.
Giving young people the opportunity to succeed
That same understanding of its pupils shapes the education and opportunities Norham provides. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, combining academic and vocational pathways with opportunities for pupils to develop practical skills and explore their interests.
Inspectors found that pupils achieve very well from their individual starting points, with the school working effectively to address gaps in literacy and numeracy. Beyond the classroom, a strong personal development programme helps young people prepare for their next steps. This includes extracurricular activities, a careers programme from Year 7 to Year 11, and work experience for all Year 10 pupils.
These opportunities help young people discover their strengths, develop confidence and consider the different paths open to them. They reflect a school that is ambitious for its pupils and determined to give them the best possible foundations for the future.
Recognition for the people behind the progress
The inspection also acknowledges the contribution of the people behind Norham’s progress. Leaders have sustained improvements over time, staff feel valued and relationships with parents and carers are positive. Leaders are also using their experience to support other schools locally.
For Terry and his team, these judgements are a well-deserved recognition of the hard work and commitment that have gone into shaping Norham into the school it is today. The progress also reflects the strength of the relationships built with pupils and families, and the wider collaboration that has helped the school move forward. It is an achievement for everyone who has played a part in Norham’s journey, and one the whole school community can be proud of.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said:
“Norham’s latest inspection is an important reminder that a school’s achievements need to be understood in the context in which it operates. Too often, perceptions of schools can be shaped by the challenges they face, rather than the work taking place every day to overcome them.
“Norham serves a high proportion of disadvantaged pupils and supports young people with a wide range of needs. Its success deserves to be recognised with an understanding of the context in which the school is working and the progress it has made.
“Terry and his team have shown what can be achieved through sustained leadership and a belief in the potential of every young person. It is wonderful to see their work recognised in this way, and I hope Norham’s story encourages people to look beyond assumptions and recognise the ambition and dedication within our schools.”
Hear more from Terry at our upcoming Ofsted events
Terry will be joining us at our upcoming Schools North East Ofsted Update events, where he will share more about Norham’s remarkable journey, its recent inspection and what other schools can learn from its experience.
The events will provide an opportunity to hear directly from Terry about the work behind the school’s transformation, alongside updates and discussion on the latest developments in Ofsted inspection.
Join us in Newton Aycliffe on 12 November or North Shields on 13 November. Book now.
Should you wish to learn more about Norham High, collaborate and share practice please email: collaboration@norhamhigh.org