Bboth Didcot’s state schools now have a good rating following a recent visit from inspectors.

Didcot Girls’ School was given a satisfactory rating by Ofsted inspectors in 2009, but has now been rated a good school with strong capacity for further improvement.

And St Birinus School’s good rating has remained the same.

Boys’ school St Birinus, in Mereland Road, is consulting parents on whether to convert to an academy, but Didcot Girls’ School has not taken this step. The two schools have a joint sixth-form.

Rachael Warwick, pictured with pupils, has been the headteacher of the girls’ school in Manor Crescent for the past 18 months. She said the improved rating, following the inspection last month, would not influence the governors’ decision on whether to convert to an academy.

She added: “We are now in a very good position to move forward whether we decide to become an academy or not, but the governors have only just started to discuss that. My priority now is to aim for an outstanding rating in the next three years.

“If we feel we are performing well enough, then we may ask the inspectors to come back before the next inspection is due.”

The Ofsted report said: “Behaviour is now good as a result of concerted and effective action for improvement.”

Pupil Katie Watts, 16, from Sutton Courtenay, said: “Mrs Warwick brought in the school values and I think there is a really strong sense of community now.”