Windsor Girls’ School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. This is a school that has built on the strengths identified in its last inspection. All groups of students make rapid progress to achieve standards significantly above the national average in a wide range of subjects including English and mathematics.

The headteacher's determination for the school to be highly successful is shared by all members of the school community. She is very well supported by the outstanding governing body and senior leadership team. Leaders have an exceptionally clear understanding of how well students are progressing and there is a continuous drive to improve teaching, learning and achievement.

Highly ef...fective professional development means that teachers often use inspirational strategies to involve students in their learning and to make lessons enjoyable. This enables teachers to move them forward rapidly, particularly in English, mathematics and science. All teachers have high expectations of students.

High standards are underpinned by aspirational targets towards which all students are skilfully guided and supported. The support provided for students who have fallen behind their targets, or who are experiencing personal difficulties affecting their performance, is exceptional. Students' behaviour and their attitudes towards learning are exemplary; they are polite and courteous and welcoming to visitors.

Students are proud of their school and feel very safe there because of the dedication of their teachers and the inclusive nature of the school. Very strong partnerships with local and national businesses provide opportunities for high-quality routes into employment. As a consequence, the proportion of students not in education, employment or training when they leave is very low.

The sixth form is good and improving rapidly. As a consequence of the recently restructured curriculum, students make very good progress and are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their education or training.

Information about this school

Windsor Girls' School is a smaller-than-average secondary school with increasing numbers of students on roll.

The school has specialist status in business and enterprise. Approximately one quarter of students are from minority ethnic heritages. The proportion speaking English as an additional language is below average.

The proportion of students for whom the school receives the pupil premium (additional government funding for students known to be eligible for free school meals, those who are looked after by the local authority and the children of service families) is below the national average. The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs supported at school action is well below average, as is the proportion at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. Students join the school at the start of Year 9.

The deprivation indicator for the school is approximately half the national average and the movement of students in and out of the school at times other than normal is much lower than that seen nationally. A small number of students in Key Stage 4 attend alternative provision in the Personalised Learning Centre which is a school-funded and school-staffed resource for those students who need additional support for their learning. The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment.