WITH record GCSE results and A-levels among the best ever last summer, as well as being graded outstanding across the board in its recent church school inspection, St Edward's RC/CE VA School in Poole has a lot to celebrate right now.

In fact this school has had plenty to celebrate for many years. With consistently good results and more than a decade of Good Ofsted ratings it would be easy for it to rest on its laurels - but nothing could be further from the truth, said Pola Bevan, headteacher for 10 years.

"Every year we like to improve - we don't stand still. We use the latest research to help support our students in the best way we can, and we are networking with schools across the country to bring back good practice."

Recent initiatives include a Year 11 intervention programme and Progress for All, both 'intervention strategies', which involve close tracking of pupils and provision of support, even one-to-one tuition, where its needed.

"We want every child in every year group to make appropriate levels of progress and to be able to celebrate achievement across all abilities. That for me is absolutely fundamental. There is such pressure on young people today to be successful. What we mean by success is to be confident, self-reliant, resilient and happy. That every child, whatever their ability, can celebrate success is at the core of our ethos."

A comprehensive school in the truest sense, St Edward's has a number of children with special needs, children in receipt of free school meals, and the highest number of looked after children of any school in the Borough, says Mrs Bevan. It is a school that takes pride in nurturing the talents of all - from high flyers who go on to university places at Oxford and Cambridge, to others who may achieve a few passes at GCSE.

Based on a strong Christian ethos with "Gospel values" promoted throughout the curriculum, the result is a "caring environment" added Mrs Bevan. "I think we want to be recognised as a school with a terrific ethos, and one which is consistently successful in terms of educating young people."

The school has undergone millions of pounds of investment in buildings in recent years including a new sixth form centre and sports hall. Most recent, as the school grew to accommodate the change in the age of transfer, was the addition of a new building with 15 new classrooms, an ICT Suite, learning resource centre and music suite.

St Edward's offers a "strong traditional curriculum" said Mrs Bevan, as well as an abundance of extra curricular actives. These includeYoung Enterprise, Duke of Edinburgh awards, a plethora of sports groups including the High Flyers - aimed specifically at confidence building, and clubs as varied at philosophy, knitting, gardening and food club. Recent school trips have included French and German exchanges and a trip to Iceland.

Praising her 'excellent team', which includes many who have stayed for years, she added: "Supporting my staff to grow and develop and share good practice is important - it's a very collegiate model. That translates to the students - there are good relationships between staff and students across the school."

Fact file

St Edward’s RC CE VA School

Dale Valley Road, Poole, BH15 3HY

Telephone: 01202 740950

Web: website.network.st-edwards.poole.sch.uk

Type of school: Joint Roman Catholic - Church of England Voluntary Aided School

Pupils: 1,090 mixed pupils aged from 11 to 18.

Latest Ofsted Report: May 2013

Rating: Good

What it said: Strong support for those who need help makes sure that progress is consistent for all groups of students. Teaching is good overall. A positive learning atmosphere is typical as students strive to meet the teachers’ expectations. Behaviour is good. Students are mature and get along well with their teachers and one another, often working collaboratively. The school is calm and orderly.

Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools inspection: July 2015

Rating: Outstanding.