Carmel College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Students' outstanding progress and high achievement are driven by the college's aspirational target-setting.

Ensuring success for every student is at the heart of the college's work. Standards have been significantly above the national average since the previous inspection. All groups of students make outstanding progress.

The proportion of students gaining the highest levels in GCSE examinations has increased again this year and is significantly above the national average. Students who are disabled or have special educational needs make exceptionally good progress to reach standards close to those of their peers. Students' behav...iour is exemplary in classrooms and during social times, for example, in the busy dining halls.

Movement around the college site is orderly and calm. Staff and students fully meet the Principal's aim of creating 'joyous corridors and purposeful classrooms.' Outstanding pastoral care ensures that students feel, and are safe and secure at the college.

As the leading Teaching School in the region, the college draws well on its excellent pool of talent and expertise to inspire teachers to constantly improve their practice. High expectations and excellent relationships underpin the very high quality of teaching. Support staff make an invaluable contribution to the achievement and well-being of students.

The sixth form is outstanding. Results at A-Level are significantly above national averages. The vast majority of students move on to their first choice universities, which include Oxbridge and universities in the prestigious Russell group.

Excellent leadership and governance ensure that there is outstanding teaching and achievement and that high-quality expertise is well-established among middle leaders. The Principal recognises the need to continue this work to provide even higher-quality leadership in the college and across the Multi-Academy Trust. Governors hold the college robustly to account for its performance.

Together with the Principal, they provide inspirational vision for the development of the college and educational provision within the Multi-Academy Trust.

Information about this school

Carmel College is above the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups is below average; so too is the proportion who speaks English as an additional language.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding to support students known to be eligible for free school meals, children of service families or those who are looked after by the local authority) is below average. The proportion of students supported at school action is below average; so too is the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. The college meets the government's current floor targets which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.

The college makes no use of off-site provision. Carmel College converted to become an academy college in November 2011. When its predecessor college Carmel Roman Catholic College was last inspected by Ofsted it was judged to be outstanding.

Carmel College is the founding school in the Carmel Education Trust which was formed in March 2013. The Trust comprises two secondary schools and three primary schools, all of which were Catholic Voluntary Aided schools. The Principal is also the chief executive officer of the Carmel Trust, and is a National Leader of Education.

The college became a Teaching School in April 2012 and in this role is heavily involved in school- to-school support and improvement in both the primary and secondary phases. The college is a member of the Teacher Training Partnership providing school-based initial teacher training (ITT) through the School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) and School Development programmes. Through its links with Sheffield Hallam University, the college is a Science Learning Partnership school, with the remit to lead professional development in science teaching across the region.