Ellen Wilkinson School for Girl's has received a glowing report from OFSTED which praises it as a caring community which prides itself on encouraging high academic expectations amongst its pupils. The teachers are described as enthusiastic and knowledgeable and the pupils as well-motivated. The care and guidance given to sixth formers is particularly noted.

There was some criticism of the learning environment and provision for children for whom English is a second language but the report recognised that the new Head Teacher and Chair of Governors had identified the challenges that need to be met to improve standards in the upper years of the school. The report highlights the improvements made since the last inspection and expects further improvement in coming years. The new Head Teacher is praised for providing good leadership and staff morale and motivation are described as high.

Provision for post-16 pupils is described as good. Retention on AS, A level and AVCE courses is high leading to a much expanded sixth form in recent years. Given the average GCSE grades of pupils on entry to these courses, they make good progress in their studies. In 2005 most pupils passed their GCE A/AS and AVCE examinations. However, numbers of pupils passing two or more examinations or gaining high grades for the last three years are below the national average. In the last three years, the school has attracted larger numbers to stay on in the sixth form through offering more appropriate courses, including GNVQ Intermediate.

When pupils enter the school, their standards are broadly average but, by the age of 16, their standards in GCSE examinations are above average. In 2005 the proportion of pupils attaining 5 grades of A*-C including GNVQ vocational qualifications was high but the numbers of pupils without any passes at GCSE was slightly above the national average. Pupils' GCSE results were particularly good in business studies, communication studies, combined science award, home economics, sociology, French, music and in vocational studies. Pupils did less well in art and design and history relative to their overall ability.

The school's specialist status which it achieved in 2002 has enabled it to improve the quality of pupils' learning experiences in mathematics, English and science, through smaller classes and the provision of applied science and single science GCSEs.