Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School provides an exceptional and broad education for all pupils. Pupils are happy and they thrive here.

The school has the very highest aspirations for all pupils. Pupils strive to realise their ambitions. They take pride in their own and others' achievements that extend beyond the academic.

Pupils display overwhelmingly positive attitudes to all aspects of school life. In lessons, they display exemplary behaviour and eagerness to learn. Always polite and respectful, pupils support each other.

Pupils readily take on responsibilities in their 'house' or with the school council. Sixth-form students act as mentors and role models f...or younger pupils.

The school promotes pupils' wider personal development through a rich set of experiences.

There are opportunities to take part in many different sports as well as performing arts and other creative pursuits. Students in the sixth form benefit from learning skills designed to prepare them well for their lives beyond school. These include cooking and car maintenance.

Pupils learn how to take care of their physical and mental health. The school provides high-quality support for pupils' well-being. This includes valuable personalised help from well-trained staff when pupils need it.

Pupils appreciate this.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school provides a broad and ambitious curriculum. Pupils have opportunities to study a wide range of subjects.

This includes the subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate. In key stages 4 and 5, pupils choose from a variety of courses deliberately designed to meet their interests and ambitions. At all stages, pupils gain the knowledge they need to progress.

All pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve exceptionally well. The curriculum in the sixth form prepares students very well for their next steps in education and their future careers.

Experienced and knowledgeable staff continually develop the curriculums in all subjects.

They make sure that pupils will gain the knowledge they need. This includes wider cultural references and links across subjects. Staff think carefully about the order in which pupils learn new knowledge.

This helps pupils gain a depth of understanding over time.

The curriculum provides pupils with lots of opportunities to revisit and reflect on prior learning. This helps pupils to make links to what they have learned before.

Teachers deliver new knowledge expertly. They skilfully check pupils' understanding and address any misconceptions quickly and effectively. Teachers meet the needs of pupils with SEND very well.

Staff use a range of well-considered strategies to make sure these pupils benefit from the curriculum.

The school give pupils lots of opportunities to discuss what they are learning. Pupils do so confidently.

Teachers provide challenging activities for pupils to practise skills and use new knowledge. Pupils produce high-quality work across the curriculum. Teachers give thoughtful feedback.

Pupils are resilient and see mistakes as opportunities to improve. Pupils value the additional academic support offered by staff and sixth-form students at lunchtimes and after school.

The curriculum contains many opportunities for pupils to read.

They enjoy reading from well-chosen texts. The school acts quickly to identify pupils who would benefit from extra help with reading. These pupils receive excellent support.

The school has introduced a new behaviour policy. This sets the very highest expectations for pupils. Pupils respond to this very well.

They are self-motivated and work independently. There are no disruptions to learning. Staff reward pupils for demonstrating positive attitudes.

Pupils enjoy very positive relationships with staff. Pupils feel well cared for and trust staff to help them resolve any problems they may face.

The curriculum to support pupils' personal development is exceptional.

It helps pupils develop mature attitudes towards equality and diversity. They gain a deep understanding of British values and a range of faiths and cultures. The extensive range of extra-curricular activities includes clubs and interesting trips and visits.

Almost all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND, take up these opportunities. Pupils across the school engage in charitable activities. Students in the sixth form enthusiastically support the wider school community.

The school makes sure that all pupils receive excellent impartial advice about the education and career options they will have in the future.

The school is very well led and managed. There is a culture built around the highest of expectations set by trustees and staff that is supported by a commitment to continue to develop the school's provision.

The school has prioritised the well-being of its staff, and staff feel very well supported to manage their workload. Trustees, staff and pupils are universally proud to be part of this exceptional school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.