Prendergast School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Students' achievement in Years 7–11 is excellent. They make outstanding progress so that standards they are reaching overall in their GCSE examinations are considerably higher than the national average. Students do exceptionally well in English and also make outstanding progress in mathematics, well above typical expectations.

Teaching is of a very high quality. Teachers have very high ambitions for all of the students and support them to meet very challenging targets and to develop as confident, independent learners. The school is a harmonious community in which everyone enjoys learning together and is determined to achieve well....

Students behave exceptionally well around the school and in lessons. They show high levels of respect and courtesy towards each other and to their teachers and other staff. They feel very safe in school.

The wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer, combined with the relevant, exciting and varied experiences offered through the curriculum, promote the excellent social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the students. Leaders at the school have a relentless focus on continuing to improve the educational experiences offered to the students and raising the high standards of achievement even further. They continually review the performance of students and staff and take decisive action when necessary.

Governors are fully committed to providing the best possible education for students at the school. They provide strong support and rigorous challenge to the school leaders. The sixth form is good.

Achievement is good and improving, and the curriculum is developing to meet the needs of the growing number of students on roll.

Information about this school

The school is a smaller than average girls' school with a large co-educational federated sixth form. Students join the sixth form from other schools beyond the federation.

It is part of the Leathersellers' Federation of three schools with a shared governing body. The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding for those known to be eligible for free school meals, looked after students and those from armed service families) is slightly larger than average. There are currently 14 looked after students in the school, and no students from service families.

Ten Year 7 students are currently eligible for catch-up funding, which is for students who did not attain Level 4 in English or mathematics at the end of primary school. The school is ethnically diverse, with a much larger proportion coming from minority ethnic groups than average. The largest groups come from White British, Caribbean, African and any other White backgrounds.

The proportion who speak English as an additional language is much higher than average, although few are recent arrivals in the country. The proportions of disabled students and those with special educational needs supported through school action, school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs are lower than average. No students are currently attending provision off site.

The school is a specialist music and languages college. Ten per cent of places in Year 7 are offered to students who show particular aptitude in music. The school meets the government's current floor targets, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

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