Ofsted

The school’s most recent inspection was in January 2019.

This was a short, one-day inspection to follow up the last full inspection, which took place in July 2014.

The two main judgements are:

  • This school continues to be good.
  • Safeguarding is effective.

The inspectors identified a number of very significant strengths in the school. These include:

Leaders have an ambitious and aspirational vision for the school and its pupils. Their belief in the power of education to transform lives is tangible. The school motto – ‘High achievement for all is our shared responsibility’ – is shared by pupils, staff, governors and members of the cooperative trust.

The improvements identified in the previous inspection report have been sustained and developed further. Leaders have continued their development of teaching and learning, which remain strong overall.

Standards have also continued to rise since the previous inspection. Pupils’ progress – as measured in the performance tables at the end of Year 11 – is impressive. Provisional GCSE examination results for 2018 indicate that pupils – including those from disadvantaged backgrounds – made much stronger progress than that found nationally.

Pupils’ behaviour continues to be a strength throughout the school. Pupils are charming, confident, respectful and welcoming. They are rightly proud of their school and their achievements.

Pupils told inspectors that they ‘love’ their school because there is always an adult who will make time for them and help them with ‘anything’.

Parents’ comments were full of praise for the staff, who are said to be ‘ready to help anytime possible’ and go ‘above and beyond expectations’.

Governors take their responsibilities seriously. They are innovative and work hard to provide the school with the best possible resources and address budgetary pressures.

Leaders have designed a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes pupils’ academic and pastoral learning well. It is exceptionally well supplemented by extra-curricular opportunities, including those for which the cooperative trust obtains external funding.

Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain, and equalities are promoted well