Piper Hill High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Since the time of the last inspection this outstanding school has continued to improve.

All students regardless of their starting points, age or background make excellent progress in their lessons and over time. By the time they leave school, students attain many externally accredited awards which celebrate their outstanding achievements. Teaching is typically outstanding and never less than good.

Lessons are characterised by carefully planned activities, pitched at just the right level and very well-deployed experienced teaching assistants. Teachers' subject knowledge is outstanding as is their assessment of students' individual... needs. This allows lessons to move along quickly.

Teachers know how to make learning relevant and fun, while having very high expectations for what students should achieve. Students behave exceptionally well and their excellent attitudes to learning are a significant factor in the outstanding progress they make in their lessons. Students are proud of their school and as a result, attendance is high.

It is very clear why students 'do not want to miss a single day'. The sixth form is outstanding and reflects the same excellent practice seen across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. The headteacher has established a highly effective leadership team.

Together they have a crystal clear vision of what makes an outstanding school. They are exceptionally ambitious to ensure this safe and caring school continues to improve. Senior leaders' relentless drive to improve the quality of teaching is very successful and all staff work exceptionally hard to ensure students achieve their very best.

A highly experienced governing body carries out its duties to ensure all students receive the best possible standards of education and care. The school's procedures for gaining an accurate view of its performance are robust and leaders are very clear about what actions are required to bring about further improvements. For example, plans are currently being made to further improve the reading ability of the least-able students.

These steps will require careful checking to ensure their success. The local authority uses the school as a model of best practice and the headteacher has supported a number of schools to improve, both locally and nationally.

Information about this school

All students are supported by school action plus, are disabled and have a statement of special educational needs.

The majority of students have either severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties. A smaller number also manage challenging behavioural difficulties. The proportion of students who are supported by the pupil premium fund is above average.

The pupil premium is additional government funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those that are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups is above average. The headteacher is a National Leader in Education and supports a number of other schools within the local authority and wider afield.

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