A HEADTEACHER has hit out at Ofsted inspectors for having 'little idea of the school’s ethos' - despite a glowing report from the education watchdog.

The Acorn School in Nailsworth has been rated as good in every category in its latest report, the second highest rating, and praised for its wide-ranging curriculum.

But Graeme Whiting, head teacher at the independent school which prides itself on creating 'freethinking young people', criticised Ofsted for using a 'tick box' based inspection.

He said: "Given my very different attitude to education to the government, whose main emphasis is on targets, testing and ticking boxes, I am again pleased to receive a good report under the renewed Ofsted inspection criteria.

"For a small private school such as The Acorn School, that offers an antithesis of state education, it seems remarkable that we have to try to wriggle in to the myriad of tick-boxes that are used by Ofsted, to assess the quality of education in schools.

"There seems to be less and less interest in the children and young adults, and certainly it will be challenging to fit into the ever-shifting state requirements into the future.

"Perhaps a unique school like Acorn might be assessed for what it achieves, not what it doesn’t?

"Our recent inspection, although resulting in Acorn being classed as ‘a good school’, featured inspectors who had little idea of the school’s ethos, which had to be explained to them during the inspection.

"I question how it is possible for any Ofsted inspection team to honestly assess any school that offers an alternative education system."

Inspectors praised the school's broad curriculum for providing a range of creative, practical and extra-curricular subjects which develop pupils’ academic, artistic and physical skills.

Teachers were praised for encouraging pupils to challenge stereotypes and to consider carefully the diversity of society outside their close school community.

Despite children not being taught to read or write until the age of seven, lead inspector Sheila Crew said pupils made rapid progress to become independent readers by the age of 11 and meet standards which are in line with those for pupils of a similar age.

Although the school does not use state exams such as GCSEs or A-levels, a very high proportion of students are successful in gaining university places.

Parents expressed strong support for the school, with one commenting: "It is a breath of fresh air to have a school and a community that support and truly care for one another and the world around them."

Pupils were said to have a good understanding of their moral responsibilities and enthusiastically carried out fundraising activities for the school’s sponsored orphanage in Thailand.

These events have included sponsored swimming, a summer fair and auctions in school.

In its last Ofsted report in 2012 the school was rated as Outstanding.

Explaining why the school was not rated as outstanding, lead inspector Crew said that one reason was that some teachers were not following the school’s feedback and marking policy in ensuring that pupils use the feedback to improve their work.

The Acorn School was founded in 1991 by head teacher Graeme Whiting and his wife and admits girls and boys aged seven to 19.

Mr Whiting hit the headlines earlier this year when he suggested books including Harry Potter were not suitable for children because they could 'damage the sensitive subconscious brains of young children.'

The school is registered for 122 pupils and there are currently 58 pupils on roll.

Mr Whiting added: "We are pleased with the report, it is a very positive one.

"Despite the school not using state exams, we continue to have an excellent rate of seeing pupils reach their desired university choices where they go on to achieve outstanding results.

"Others graduate from school and pursue foreign travel, holding out for a mature entry to university, a choice that I applaud.

"I would like to thank all of the supportive parents and staff for their hard work."

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “At the heart of Ofsted’s inspection system is the guiding principle that pupils should be well supported and challenged to reach their potential, whatever avenues they may decide to pursue in the future.

“We inspect all independent schools in England against a common set of standards, as directed by the Department for Education. Our inspections are rigorous and the findings go through a thorough quality assurance process to ensure our reports provide a fair and accurate reflection of a school.

“The majority of inspectors are current practitioners and all have the necessary expertise to inspect a wide range of schools, of any ethos or character.

“We have clearly recognised the Acorn School for its achievement, and that is why we have judged it to be good.”