Staff and pupils at a St Albans school are celebrating after a positive Ofsted report emphasising good behaviour and the school’s welcoming environment.

Marlborough Science Academy in Watling Street was visited by Ofsted for a short inspection on Thursday, 18 February, which confirmed that the school maintains its ‘good’ rating.

The report said: “You are rightly proud that Marlborough Science Academy is a caring, welcoming school in which pupils are safe and learn in a calm environment.

“A very high proportion of pupils involve themselves in one or more of the many sporting, musical and cultural opportunities offered by the school.

“You remove any barriers that might prevent disadvantaged pupils from engaging in all that the school has to offer. As a result, these pupils participate fully in the life of the school.”

The school was also praised for its inclusiveness and lack of bullying. Inspectors found: “Pupils told inspectors that bullying is uncommon, and that teachers deal with it effectively on the rare occasions when it does occur.

“Pupils appreciate the fact that, in the words of one, ‘It doesn’t matter if you are gay, or transgender, or just a bit different – everyone is accepted and we just get on well with each other.’”

Inspectors also laid out targets for improvement, urging the school to continue to improve the support offered to pupils with special educational needs, to improve the effectiveness of teaching within science so that pupils could make more rapid progress, and to ensure that all Sixth Form pupils are taking courses which suit their abilities and interests.

Overall, inspectors praised the school’s “increasingly effective” teaching, which had improved since the last full inspection in 2017.

Headteacher Annie Thomson said: “It was a most positive and successful experience and I was delighted that the team picked up on our vibrant and friendly school community as soon as they set foot in reception.

“We are delighted with the report and the overwhelming support from all of our students, parents and carers.

“We are already working on and developing the few areas where there is still some work to do.”