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Top school slams Ofsted over 'disproportionate and wrong' inspection grading

The headmaster at one of the county's most successful schools has criticised Ofsted over its decision to downgrade its rating from 'outstanding' to 'good'.

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The Ofsted inspection into Thomas Telford School concluded that the school was 'outstanding' in every category apart from 'leadership and management', according to its headmaster Sir Kevin Satchwell.

Sir Kevin said that the school had been found to be 'good' in the category of 'leadership and management'.

He made the comments in a letter to parents today, revealing that the school's governors had contested the view of Ofsted over the report, which followed an inspection in December last year, delaying its publication.

The report is expected to be published tomorrow.

The school was last inspected in 2009.

In his letter Sir Kevin says a "contentious situation" emerged during the inspection regarding the way the school uses "codes to record attendance for behavioural issues".

He explains to parents that the school "can operate a different system to normal maintained schools" because of its status as a City of Technology College.