Leeds school is named among 'best in the world'

A school community in north Leeds is celebrating after being judged among the best in the world.
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Roundhay School has achieved the top accolade of being awarded ‘World Class School’ status - a quality mark bestowed on non-selective state schools judged to offer the best education in the UK.

The north Leeds all-through school has now joined an elite list of around 100 schools nationally to receive the award.

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A limited number of schools are shortlisted every year and each must have been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted to qualify.

Students at Roundhay School, Leeds, pictured celebrating their A Level results in 2018. Picture: Tony Johnson.Students at Roundhay School, Leeds, pictured celebrating their A Level results in 2018. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Students at Roundhay School, Leeds, pictured celebrating their A Level results in 2018. Picture: Tony Johnson.

Students are then assessed through a rigorous process based on the quality mark’s principle that “it is the calibre of the student which proves the calibre of the school”.

Tim Ashworth, head of English at Roundhay School, said the director of World Class Schools’ Quality Mark (WCSQM) spent a day observing lessons and speaking to children and staff before pupils were then invited to Reading where they had to help design a classroom of the future.

They then worked together on creating a video about what life is like at Roundhay before learning they had finally scooped the prestigious status.

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Mr Ashworth said: “It’s great. We got outstanding status in 2013 and we feel it’s nice to have something that represents, further than that, what we are doing at the moment. I’m really proud. It’s great because there’s only about 100 schools in the country to get the status. It’s a really nice reflection of what we are doing at Roundhay at the moment.”

Pupils, from left: Jack Wilson, 12,  Rakesh Rathour, 12, Jaya Naik-Davis, 15, and  Indira Smith, 15, at Roundhay School, which has achieved World School status. Picture: Gary LongbottomPupils, from left: Jack Wilson, 12,  Rakesh Rathour, 12, Jaya Naik-Davis, 15, and  Indira Smith, 15, at Roundhay School, which has achieved World School status. Picture: Gary Longbottom
Pupils, from left: Jack Wilson, 12, Rakesh Rathour, 12, Jaya Naik-Davis, 15, and Indira Smith, 15, at Roundhay School, which has achieved World School status. Picture: Gary Longbottom

Miranda Perry, WCSQM director, said: “Each school applying for accreditation receives an individualised report of what makes their students particularly World Class.

"Students from Roundhay were exceptional leaders, undaunted by obstacles, highly motivated and efficient.

"They showed sophisticated listening skills and were able to analyse and question at a professional level.

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"Roundhay students role model skills and competencies that will secure our future.”

Roundhay has now joined a number of Leeds schools which were awarded the accolade in previous years including Hillcrest Academy in Chapeltown, Morley Newlands Academy, The Ruth Gorse Academy in the city centre, The Farnley Academy and The Morley Academy.

World Class Schools’ Quality Mark is a national charity and awarding body which describes itself as “the new standard in education for schools who have moved beyond outstanding”.

For more information visit www.worldclass-schools.org.