A SOUTHAMPTON school that has forged close relationships with businesses including VT Shipbuilders has been praised for its innovative curriculum.

Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) praised some of the outstanding features of the wide-ranging curriculum at Sholing Technology College.

These included the breadth of vocational options in Years 10 and 11, an accelerated learning programme in maths from Year 8, and an advanced AS level course in critical thinking from Year 10.

Enrich

Inspectors also found that the school's technology status had allowed the college to enrich and extend its curriculum, and develop links with industry through companies such as VT Shipbuilders in Portsmouth and IBM.

The 999-pupil girls' school was also complimented for the outstanding care, guidance and support for its students

Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development was described as good and their cultural awareness was also singled out for praise.

Inspectors described the specialist college's performance overall as 'good' and said the head teacher led the school well and student achievement continued to improve rapidly.

Pupils were also found to have a strong voice in the decision-making process affecting school life.

Exception

Attendance was described as broadly average and improving, with the exception of a small minority of older girls.

Head teacher Karen Dagwell said: "We are extremely pleased with this report as we do feel that it accurately reflects our present position, giving us the platform to move from being a good college to an outstanding one.

"Of particular note is the recognition of the strength of our 'Student Voice' which is an area we have been committed to improving."