Sir John Talbot’s School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have created a culture of high expectations and positive behaviour at Sir John Talbot's School.

Pupils are respectful and well behaved. Relationships between pupils and staff are positive. Governors have a detailed knowledge of the school and a strong strategic overview.

The Marches Academy Trust's support for the school is effective and has a positive impact on many areas of the school. Teachers' subject knowledge is strong. They plan their lessons carefully and ensure that there are a variety of engaging tasks which meet the needs of pupils.

Leaders respond quickly to any weaknesses they identify. In areas where pupils'... progress has been weak in the past, leaders' actions are addressing this effectively. Leaders' work to teach pupils about risks they face is very effective.

Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Many pupils join the school with weak literacy and numeracy skills. Leaders' plans to address this are beginning to have a positive impact.

Pupils' progress is good. Disadvantaged pupils' progress is improving quickly towards that of other pupils nationally with similar starting points. Post-16 students' progress is good and improving.

Study programmes are carefully managed and effective. Students value highly the wide variety of opportunities that leaders offer them. Pupils' attendance has improved recently.

However, some pupils' persistent absence remains a challenge.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.

Sir John Talbot's School is a smaller than average secondary school with a small sixth form. It became an academy sponsored by the Marches Academy Trust in 2014. Each year, a significant number of pupils join the school in all year groups.

The percentage of pupils who are eligible for free school meals is above the national average. The percentage of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is well above the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment by the end of Year 11.