Kendrick School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils and sixth formers are justly proud of their school community. They delight in their learning and truly excel here. One parent spoke for many when reflecting, 'The school does a great job of creating well-rounded, kind, human beings who will hopefully go on to make the world a better place.

The academic results are important of course, but far from the only focus.' Inspectors totally agree.

Passionate and inspiring senior leadership underpins the shared high aspirations and first-rate academic standards at Kendrick.

The highly dedicated team of staff support all pupils to benefit from the rich academic curriculum, enriched with a dazzling array of exper...iences and clubs. Pupils respond to teachers' very high expectations. They enthusiastically engage in debate and discussion and immerse themselves in all that the curriculum offers.

They become confident independent learners, achieve exceptionally well and are very well prepared to become exemplary citizens.

The Kendrick Pledge emphasises friendship, kindness, respect, equality, tolerance and justice, and these values underpin all that the school achieves. Pupils flourish in this exceptionally caring and inclusive learning environment.

Secure, trusting relationships between staff and pupils ensure pupils feel very well supported and safe here. In turn, pupils' excellent behaviour and impeccable manners make Kendrick a very special place to be.

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

Kendrick offers an engaging, rich and ambitious curriculum for all pupils and sixth formers.

Over many years, pupils have benefited from very high standards and achievement in mathematics and the sciences. The school also provides a first-class education across languages, humanities and a range of creative and practical subjects. Leaders work tirelessly to promote high aspirations and expectations within a caring and compassionate culture.

Senior leaders support their staff well. Teachers engage in research and source relevant training and resources through their participation in local and national networks. This equips them with expert subject knowledge.

They use this well to plan sequences of lessons that ensure learning is sustained and that pupils achieve work of a very high standard. Staff promote a rich culture of reading and encourage pupils to read ambitious texts across the curriculum.

Teachers use assessment, discussion and debate to encourage pupils and sixth formers to apply their learning in different contexts and deepen their knowledge.

Pupils and students relish opportunities to consider ambitious and relevant topics across the curriculum. Older pupils support younger ones in this through their roles as student leaders, running a wealth of learning clubs and activities.

Well-established systems of accountability, together with external reviews, support the dedicated team of governors to hold leaders to account for standards.

Governors share senior leaders' passion to expand provision to better meet the needs of the local community. The school's 'widening horizons initiative' is actively working with local primary schools. The headteacher and her team are promoting awareness and seeking to increase the numbers of disadvantaged pupils from the local area who attend the school.

Teachers know their pupils as individuals. Skilful assessment, coupled with a range of induction events, support new students joining the sixth form. This enables them to settle in quickly and make strong progress alongside their peers.

The new SENDCo carefully identifies pupils' needs and shares useful information with staff. Teachers skilfully adapt their lessons to meet the needs of all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Consequently, pupils with SEND are very well supported, both academically and emotionally, and are achieving in line with their peers.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary both in lessons and around the school. They respect and exemplify the values within the school pledge. Pupils love being here.

Attendance is high, pupils are punctual and lessons are free from any low-level disruption.

Leaders value pupils' personal development just as much as their academic outcomes. Staff care deeply about pupils' well-being.

Pupils benefit from a highly effective programme of personal, social, health and citizenship education across the years. They consider the implications of a broad range of relevant ethical and sensitive issues. This empowers them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices.

Pupils benefit from a wealth of enrichment and leadership opportunities. These include running the eco-committee, choirs, orchestras, chess clubs, swimming and sports clubs or looking after the chickens.

Impartial careers advice and guidance help pupils plan and prepare for their next steps when they leave the school.

There are opportunities to gain relevant work experience closely linked to future destinations. Most sixth formers generally go on to their chosen universities, but they are well informed about other opportunities, including degree apprenticeships.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure safer recruitment practices are followed appropriately. All staff are kept well informed through regular training and briefings about safeguarding. Leaders promote a culture of vigilance at Kendrick, ensuring adults, and other pupils, are alert to any signs that a pupil may be at risk.

Well-managed systems are used to record and share any concerns that staff may have about pupils. Safeguarding leaders swiftly seek support from external agencies, challenging when necessary to ensure that pupils and families can access the help they need. Pupils say they feel safe here and know that there are trusted adults to turn to should they need help.