Ofsted Inspection

The School Ofsted Report 2011

The report describes many strengths of the school and particularly highlighted the effectiveness of care, guidance and support which were seen as 'outstanding'.

In a letter to parents and carers the Lead Inspector Frank Knowles has stated: "The school has a very caring ethos and you told us how much you value the opportunities you have to reflect on your lives and share any concerns with staff. The headteacher and staff provide outstanding care, guidance and support for you all, from before you begin at the school to the point at which you leave."

The school also received praise for the personal development of students, for their contribution to the school and the wider community (a "real strength"), and for the fact that students are well prepared to live in our diverse society, adopted healthy lifestyles, behaved well and felt safe. The inspectors also noted that the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are outstanding, and enhanced by the schools Catholic ethos and values.

"Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding, largely because of the opportunities they have to reflect deeply on their lives and those of others. Students have a very good understanding of cultural differences and moral principles, and share the school mission’s clearly stated values." (Ofsted report 2011)

The school's curriculum was praised, as well as the effectiveness of the governing body, and the school's engagement with parents and carers.

The school regards the judgement of satisfactory in a number of categories as slightly disappointing, given the enormous efforts made, and the success achieved, in raising academic standards over the past three years, but acknowledges improvements can be made.

Plans for improvement from the report include the following areas:

   Make sure teaching is consistently good.

   Being clearer about what good lessons should contain, to help subject leaders manage and improve their departments.

   Find out more about the progress different groups of you make, to share good practice and provide support where progress is slower.

 

These quotes are taken directly from the recent Ofsted report, crown copyright Ofsted 2011

Overall effectiveness of the school

"The school has an exceptionally strong, caring ethos which is shared by all staff and valued by students. Parents and carers noted the high level of support provided for their children."

"Support for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities is good and, as a result, they make good progress."

"Guidance on future education and career choices is very well targeted, especially around the times of choosing options and moving on to the next stage of education."

"Staff have a very good understanding of students as individuals and a very high level of commitment to supporting students whose circumstances may make them vulnerable."

"There is an exceptionally strong adherence among staff and students to the school’s values, set out in its mission statement and prominently displayed throughout the school."

"Opportunities for students to reflect deeply about their lives are unusually good and include an annual retreat for all students."

"The way the school promotes respect for everyone, irrespective of their background, is very good."

Pupils' Outcomes

"Students with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those speaking English as an additional language and at the early stages of learning English, made good progress. Their induction into the school is very carefully managed, with continuing high-quality support."

"All students were ready to contribute in lessons when given the opportunity and were enthusiastic learners."

"A strong focus on preparation for the world of work in the school’s programme for personal, social and health education means that students develop good workplace skills, and it includes good support for students who have weaker basic literacy and numeracy skills."

"Most students play a full part in the life of the school. Many take part in sporting activities and respond well to the good promotion of healthy eating and exercise."

"Their behaviour in lessons and around the school is good."

Quality of Provision

"The curriculum meets the needs of students well. The curriculum in Years 7 to 9 underpins that of later years well. Option choices for Year 10 are flexible and wide-ranging."

"The transition arrangements from primary schools are very thorough and students from Year 7 spoke very positively about their experience. Students in all years welcome the excellent support they receive from adults, particularly tutors, heads of year and inclusion leaders, and from older students."

"The tracking of students’ progress is very effective in identifying individual students who need additional support."

Effectiveness of the Sixth Form

"Sixth form students make a strong contribution to the life of the school through their work in support of other students, and also to the wider community."

"The systems for care, guidance and support work as effectively in the sixth form as in the rest of the school, and students are very well supported."