Chatsworth High School and Community College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Regardless of their starting points, age or background, all students make good progress and for many it is outstanding. By the time students leave school they attain many externally accredited awards, celebrating their excellent achievements.

Teaching is typically outstanding and never less than good. Teachers' subject knowledge is excellent as is their assessments of students' individual needs. As a result, lessons are characterised by carefully planned activities, pitched at just the right level for all students.

This allows lessons to move along at a swift pace. Teachers know how to make learning relevant and fun, while having... very high expectations of what students should achieve. Students behave exceptionally well around school and their outstanding attitudes to learning are a significant factor in the excellent progress they make in their lessons.

The Community College is outstanding and successfully builds upon the excellent practice seen across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. The headteacher has established a highly effective leadership team. Together they have a well-defined vision of what makes an outstanding school.

Their relentless drive to improve the quality of teaching is successful and all staff are exceptionally ambitious to ensure that this safe and caring school continues to improve. Teachers who are responsible for leading improvements in English and mathematics are new to their role and benefiting from well-designed training opportunities. Robust procedures are firmly established, providing all leaders with an accurate view of what is working well and what could be better still.

Planned actions are currently being implemented to further improve students' attainment in mathematics. These steps are already starting to make a difference, but will require careful checking, for example by middle leaders, to ensure their complete success. A highly experienced governing body carries out its duties to ensure all students receive the best possible education and care.

Information about this school

Students who attend Chatsworth High School and Community College either have severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties. A number also manage challenging behavioural difficulties. All students are supported by school action plus, or are disabled or have a statement of special educational needs.

The proportion of students who are supported by the pupil premium fund is above average. The pupil premium is additional government funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those that are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups is below average.

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