Wycombe High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is an outstanding school. Students make outstanding progress across all key stages and attainment is well above national averages.

The sixth form is outstanding. The strong focus on the development of students' independent learning skills and careful matching of provision to individual needs ensure that attainment is above the national average. Teaching is highly effective in meeting the needs of learners and promoting rapid and sustained progress.

Teachers use their expertise and excellent subject knowledge to plan lessons which engage students. Students demonstrate great enthusiasm for learning and show a high degree of ownership of their learning. The quality of teaching is outstanding....

Behaviour both in lessons and around the school is exemplary. Students take responsibility for their excellent behaviour, supported by the school's clearly communicated high expectations and the many opportunities provided for student leadership. There is a clear commitment to the development of the whole child and the school provides outstanding opportunities for students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Students are exceptionally well prepared for the next stages in their education or employment. Attendance is very high and well above the national average. The leadership and management of the headteacher, leaders across the school and the governing body, are outstanding.

The clearly communicated ambition for all students to reach the very highest standards and relentless focus on improving the quality of teaching mean that the school is not content to rest on its laurels. Arrangements for the management of performance are robust and have contributed strongly to improvements in the quality of teaching since the last inspection.

Information about the school

Wycombe High School is a larger than average-sized secondary school.

The proportion of students eligible for free school meals is very low. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups is higher than that found nationally. The largest heritage groups represented in the school are White British and Pakistani.

The proportion of students who speak English as an additional language is higher than that found nationally. The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is very low. The school has specialist status in mathematics and computing and holds the Artsmark Gold Award, Healthy Schools Award, Investors in People Award, NACE Challenge Award and the Sportsmark Award.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set minimum expectations for attainment and progress. The current headteacher was appointed from 1 January 2009. The school converted to academy status on 1 May 2011.

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