Secondary school rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted

HENLEY’S secondary school has been rated “outstanding”.

Gillotts School was visited by four Ofsted inspectors over two days in June who noted that the leaders and the curriculum were both “highly ambitious”.

The school, which currently has 951 students, was previously inspected by the education watchdog in 2020 when it was rated “good”.

The inspectors’ report says: “Leaders have high ambitions for all pupils. Pupils thrive because of the high-quality teaching and care they receive. All pupils are supported to make exceptional progress. Pupils rise to this challenge and achieve highly.

“Pupils know that leaders see them as individuals. They value the school’s inclusive and highly welcoming environment. Leaders keep the school’s motto, ‘Not by ourselves alone’, at the centre of their work.

“Pupils are very happy at the school. As one parent said: ‘Gillotts is an outstanding environment for children to learn and achieve their full potential.’

“Leaders place a high value on the wellbeing of pupils. Pupils have exemplary attitudes to learning. They engage well in lessons and are enthusiastic to learn.

“Pupils appreciate the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. These include sporting, artistic and dramatic experiences. They also enjoy taking part in the increasing number of school trips.

“Pupils feel safe. Bullying is rare and dealt with swiftly if it occurs. Pupils are highly respectful of difference. There are strong, purposeful and friendly relationships between pupils and staff. One pupil said: ‘We feel like one big community’.”

Inspectors found that teachers had strong subject knowledge and had “high ambition” for pupils. The report says: “The curriculum is broad, balanced and highly ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

“Leaders have set out clearly the most important knowledge that pupils need to learn in all subjects. Teachers have strong subject knowledge. In lessons, they present information clearly and check pupils’ understanding routinely.

“They expertly identify and address any misconceptions. As a result, all pupils achieve exceptionally well.

“Leaders prioritise reading. They have established a strong culture of reading across the school. Pupils at the early stages of learning to read receive carefully targeted support, which helps them to catch up quickly. They develop confidence and fluency.

“In English, pupils read a wide range of texts, which broadens their vocabulary and deepens their understanding of how language works.

“Leaders have high ambition for pupils with SEND. Pupils’ needs are known well. Strong leadership and high-quality teaching result in high levels of progress through the planned curriculum.

“Leaders provide a wide range of training so that all staff know how to meet pupils’ needs consistently well. Adaptations in lessons are carefully considered and effective. Tailored support for pupils with SEND, including the effective use of outside agencies, ensures that all pupils achieve highly.” Inspectors found student behaviour was well managed.

The report said: “Leaders have helpful systems for managing behaviour and providing individual support for pupils when required.

“Pupils proudly exhibit the school’s values of kindness, respect and not doing harm. They also enjoy making a positive contribution to their school and to the wider community.

“Leadership roles through the school council enable pupils to help improve their school. Activities such as supporting charities and collecting food for the local food bank allow pupils to learn about the importance of being a good citizen.

“Leaders’ work to support pupils’ personal development is exceptional. Pupils have many opportunities to develop resilience and self-confidence.

“For example, many enthusiastically take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and represent the school in sports teams. Pupils appreciate learning about their health, wellbeing and ways to stay safe.

“Leaders have ensured that careers education, information, advice and guidance are of a very high quality so that all pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their lives.

“Leaders, including governors, are highly ambitious for all. They are committed and reflective and are determined to improve the school even further. Staff training is given a high priority and teachers are keen to continually develop their knowledge of teaching and learning.

“Governors support all leaders and staff through considering their wellbeing and workload. Staff are given the opportunity to provide feedback, and their views are considered. Staff report that they enjoy working at the school.”

In a statement, headteacher Catharine Darnton and chairman of governors David Gorsuch said: “This is a tremendous outcome to have achieved and we are proud to have had the school’s successes recognised in this way.

“For inspectors to say that ‘all pupils are supported to make exceptional progress’ and that ‘pupils rise to this challenge and achieve highly’ is a great endorsement both of all the work that our staff do day in, day out, and also the way that our pupils commit themselves to being the best they can be.

“The inspectors recognised our ‘inclusive and highly welcoming environment’ and that pupils are ‘very happy at the school’. We are, as was also noted, ‘committed and reflective’ and ‘determined to improve the school even further’.

“We would like to thank all those whose work has played a part in this outcome. We have a fantastic staff team and a knowledgeable, supportive and committed governing body.

“Our students are a delight to work with, the support of their engaged parents is invaluable and we are tremendously grateful for the support we receive from the wider community.”

• Gillotts has said it is unaffected by reinforced areated concrete following an survey undertaken in February. The school canteen was refurbished over the summer.