Gordano School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is an outstanding school. Students benefit from an outstanding education based on an extensive and innovative curriculum. They benefit from numerous opportunities to excel and considerable scope to exercise responsibility and leadership.

The sixth form is outstanding. Students make outstanding progress gaining very strong examination results because the excellent and varied curriculum meets their needs so well. Teaching is outstanding and demanding, as is leadership and management.

Students thrive in the highly supportive environment. Achievement overall is outstanding. All groups, including disabled students and those who have special educational needs, and those who speak English as an ...additional language, make rapid progress in relation to their starting points and abilities.

Above-average attendance contributes to this level of progress. Teaching is outstanding. Many lessons are characterised by stimulating pace and challenge, and high expectations.

Students respond earnestly and with great interest and enthusiasm. In a few lessons, there are inconsistencies in the promotion of literacy and numeracy, and staff do not consistently allow sufficient time for plenary sessions where students can properly showcase their learning. Behaviour and safety are outstanding.

Although a small minority of parents, carers and students expressed reservations about behaviour, students' excellent attitudes make a significant contribution to their learning in a very happy, safe and harmonious environment. The school is led by an outstanding and visionary headteacher. He is well supported by excellent senior and middle leaders, and a highly committed and skilful team of staff.

The highly professional and knowledgeable governing body offers outstanding support. Self-evaluation is accurate; the school knows its strengths and continually strives to improve further through a robust staff performance system. The curriculum is vibrant, varied and innovative and the provision for students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.

Information about the school

Gordano School is a far larger-than-average school. Most students are from a White British background, although there are a few from a range of minority ethnic groups. Fewer pupils than average speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs is above average, although the proportion supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals is lower than usual. The school meets the current floor standard which determines the minimum standard set by the government.

It has specialist technology status and holds a large number of awards for its provision. The school has recently converted to academy status. At the time of the inspection, extensive building work was being undertaken to provide additional sixth-form facilities.

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