HMI Inspection
Summary of HMI Findings 15th July 2003

The inspection took place on 25th June 2003, its purpose was to determine whether the school continues to meet the required standards. The Inspectors noted:

Teaching
" Overall teaching was good. Lessons were planned and prepared, often with the effective use of resources and interesting materials"
" A feature of most lessons was the good questioning of pupils. Teachers subject knowledge is good"
" Learning was effective in all lessons seen. Pupils took interest in their work and most concentrated well. The pace of lessons was good and this helped learning"
" By the end of Year 6, the majority of pupils attain national averages in the core subjects. Personal development is generally good"
" In the lessons seen in Key stages 3 and 4, pupils were working at appropriate national levels, with some good attainment in Science and English"

Pupil Attitudes

" Pupils have a good attitude to school and most work well in classes. Their behaviour around school is very good; the school is an orderly and civilised community, reflecting its own stated ethos for good pastoral care. Relationships between pupils and teachers are very good and pupils are very polite to visitors."

Resources

" Resources are good overall. Classroom furniture and fittings are of good quality. The provision for ITC and audio-visual aids is good".
" The provision of extra-curricular activities is satisfactory and that for pupils with special needs is good"

Management

" The school is well led and managed. All subjects have a curriculum co-ordinator. The school has developed well in its short life, indicative of good management. The speed of the move to a new site and the quality of the attention to detail is also indicative of good management. the school has an extensive range of policies and mission statements, all produced to a high standard. All staff are monitored well."

Ethos

" The school has a very strong attitude towards the care of pupils. Originally established to provide a school for pupils who found coping in mainstream schools difficult there has been a change in recent times as the school has become selective, but it still retains a strong interest in the protection of the emotionally vulnerable"