STANDARDS ACHIEVED BY PUPILS

Standards achieved in areas of learning, subjects and courses

Standards are well above average overall. They are above average in Years 7 to 9, and well above average by Year 11. Achievement is very good for all pupils across Years 7 to 11,

Main strengths and weaknesses

• Pupils’ progress from Year 7 to GCSE examinations in Year 11 is amongst the best nationally.
• An excellent emphasis on inclusion supports pupils with special educational needs to achieve very well.
• Higher attainers do not always make as much progress in Years 7 to 9 as they do in similar schools.

Commentary

Key Stage 3

Standards in national tests at the end of Year 9 average point scores in 2003 (There are no comparative data for 2004)

There were 199 pupils in the year group. Figures in brackets are for the previous year

Standards on entry to the school are average overall. Although pupils reach just above average levels in tests at the end of Year 6, when inspectors talked to them, watched them in lessons and looked at their work, they found that they were not sustaining these standards in new situations. When talking, reading, or writing pupils showed average skills, though they do improve significantly by Year 9. Skills in ICT vary considerably in Year 7 depending on the resources and expertise available in primary schools.

2. Achievement through Years 7 to 9 is good for both boys and girls, so that by the end of Year

9 standards are above average overall. Standards in national tests at the end of Year 9 have fluctuated considerably. In 2003 (the latest year for which comparisons are available) results were well above average nationally, and similar to those achieved by pupils in other schools who had reached similar levels by the end of Year 6.

3. Results in English were above the national average, but below the standards in similar schools, as they had been in 2002. This was because the proportion of pupils reaching the higher levels was well below that achieved in similar schools, In the 2004 tests the English results improved significantly, and exceeded teachers’ expectations.

4. In mathematics results were well above the national average, and above the standards in similar schools. They had been well below the standards in similar schools in the previous year. Standards were maintained in 2004.

5. In science results were well above the national average, and matched the standards in similar schools, having been very low in comparison in 2002. Standards were maintained in 2004, though the percentage of pupils reaching the higher levels was smaller than expected.

6. Work seen during the inspection showed that standards are above average overall. They are well above average in drama, music, and in history, where the teaching and assessment