Herschel Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils thrive in the school's academic, yet very caring and secure, environment. Pupils make outstanding progress and achieve excellent results in external examinations.

Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are outstanding and contribute to the calm, purposeful ethos in the school and to their progress in lessons. Pupils feel very safe and cared for in school and their attendance is well above average. Leadership and management are outstanding.

The leadership team has a clear vision that is shared by staff, who feel valued and supported. The curriculum is broad and provides excellent opportunities for pupils to develop per...sonal qualities and skills. Arrangements to review and improve the quality of teaching are rigorous and very effective.

The quality of teaching is outstanding. Teachers' expectations are very high, their subject knowledge is excellent and teachers make very good use of assessment. Pupils are very clear about how well they are doing and what to do to improve further, but would benefit from even more opportunities to develop their independence and responsibilities.

The sixth form is outstanding. Students are hard working and ambitious. They contribute to the smooth running of the school.

They are extremely well taught and make very good progress; examination results are well above the national average. The governors are well informed and provide excellent support and challenge to the school's leadership.

Information about this school

Herschel Grammar School is a selective, co-educational school for pupils aged 11 to 18 years.

It is slightly smaller than average, but the number of pupils has increased since the last inspection in 2008, as has the proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups, which is now 81%. Over 30% of pupils are of Indian origin, 22% are of Pakistani heritage and 28% are White British. There are more boys than girls in most year groups.

There is a very small number of pupils with disabilities or special educational needs: 1.9% on school action and 1.1% on school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs.

The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is 4.1%, which is well below the national average. The school is part of a post-16 consortium with Baylis Court School and The Westgate School.

Herschel has maintained its Leading Edge status and runs the Herschel Pupil Training Centre for pupils from Slough and neighbouring local authorities, in partnership with Haybrook College. The school has specialist status in technology, science, mathematics and computing. It converted to an academy in February 2012.

The school has achieved the Investors in People bronze standard and is preparing to be re-assessed in November 2012. It also has the Sportsmark and Healthy Schools awards. The school has met the government's floor standards for the end of Key Stage 4.