Crookhorn College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a welcoming and inclusive school. Staff are wholeheartedly focused on supporting all pupils to succeed, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

As a result, pupils go on to do well in the subjects that they study and appreciate the help that they get to achieve.

Pupils behave well. The school sets high expectations which are driven by its 'cornerstones' of 'respect, commitment, achievement and responsibility'.

Pupils embrace these. They are polite and respectful to each other and staff. Pupils feel safe, are happy and enjoy coming to school.

They understand that staff care for them and know that they have s...upport around them when they need it. Strong and effective pastoral care is available for those who need it. This helps pupils to engage positively with the life of the school.

The school places an exceptionally strong emphasis on pupils' wider development. Pupils appreciate the wide range of leadership roles they have. The school offers a range of enrichment opportunities.

Pupils take advantage of these and talk about how much they value them. Pupils also appreciate how their high-quality lessons in personal, social, health and economic education and frequent opportunities to debate social issues helps to create a tolerant and respectful school community.

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

Through focused leadership, the school has effectively responded to changes in the make-up of its cohort.

A restructured curriculum, well-considered support for pupils with SEND, and a determined pursuit of high standards have led to improved outcomes in most subjects by the end of key stage 4. As a result, more pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, benefit from the high-quality education at the school. This work is ongoing in a small number of subjects to ensure that the curriculum is coherently planned and delivered consistently well by teachers.

Teachers have good subject knowledge. They typically present new learning clearly and confidently. They use resources to model new concepts effectively.

Most staff check pupils' understanding skilfully. Learning is supported through the effective widespread use of a virtual learning platform which supports pupils to learn remotely.

Reading is prioritised.

The school encourages pupils to read regularly and carefully identifies those who are struggling with reading. These pupils receive additional support from specialist staff, including phonics assistance. As a result, they quickly gain the knowledge and skills they need to become confident and fluent readers.

The school's dedicated efforts to raise the achievement of disadvantaged pupils are delivering positive results. The school identifies individual pupils' needs quickly. Staff are well informed about the needs of these pupils.

They adapt the curriculum carefully so that pupils with SEND develop the knowledge and skills that they need. This is complemented by the school's relentless determination to identify and address barriers to attendance. As a result, pupils attend school regularly.

They are engaged in their learning and benefit from the support that they need to prepare them for the next stage of education or training.

Personal development is a strength of the school. Pupils learn about important topics such as healthy relationships, consent and healthy eating.

They learn about other faiths and religions in modern Britain, and are encouraged to discuss contentious, topical issues, at an age-appropriate level. They value the expert input that they receive from external speakers on subjects such as knife crime, domestic violence and substance misuse. The school provides a strong careers education.

Through this, pupils engage with a wide range of employers and education providers. As a result, pupils are exceptionally well prepared for life beyond school.

Leaders continue to review and enhance the school's provision.

They understand how the various aspects of their work join up and continually look for the best practice. Governors provide effective support and challenge. The school has implemented a well-thought-out professional development programme, which staff appreciate.

The school carefully considers the impact of improvements on staff workload and involves them in policy changes. As a result, they feel valued and are proud to be a part of the Crookhorn College team.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school's curriculum is not securely and consistently embedded across all subjects. In some subjects, lessons do not build pupils' knowledge and skills successfully. The school should ensure that it keeps a careful oversight of how well the curriculum is being implemented and provide support so that it is of a consistently high standard in all subjects, enabling all groups of pupils to achieve well.

Also at this postcode