Alcester Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Alcester Grammar School is a thriving and happy place. Pupils are extremely proud to be part of this highly ambitious school. Leaders have the highest expectations for their pupils.

The school's vision of 'nurturing aspiration, achievement and opportunity for all' permeates throughout the whole organisation. Pupils meet these expectations consistently.

Pupils love learning.

They benefit from an exceptional curriculum. They are completely engaged in lessons and are enthusiastic learners. Teaching and assessment are effective, and pupils learn well.

Teachers are highly knowledgeable. They have nurtured a keen sense of curiosity in their pupils. As a re...sult, pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enjoy their lessons very much.

Pupils welcome opportunities to extend their experiences wherever possible. Almost all of them participate in the wide range of activities the school provides. Teachers encourage all pupils to take part, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They treat everyone with courtesy and respect those with different lifestyles and backgrounds. Pupils have a strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.

They accept that individuals can be themselves.

Pupils feel safe here. There is always a trusted adult to go to.

Staff do not tolerate bullying and discriminatory language.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The new principal and senior team provide exceptional leadership. They lead by example, with sensitive and calm authority.

They know what is best for their pupils. They prioritise professional development for staff so that they too can do their best. Consequently, staff are highly competent in their roles.

The curriculum is exemplary. It is very broad, providing all pupils with access to a wide range of subjects. Subject leaders have carefully sequenced every topic.

Plans set out the crucial knowledge and skills that pupils must know and remember. Teachers have strong knowledge of the subjects they teach. They plan lessons well, ensuring the learning needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, are incorporated.

As a result, almost all pupils achieve highly and pupils with SEND achieve exceptionally well.

Teachers deliver lessons with passion. They use a range of effective and engaging strategies to teach the pupils.

These ensure that pupils learn and remember what they have been taught. Leaders recognise that reading and literacy are key to high achievement. Pupils read a range of highly interesting texts in all subjects.

They discuss and express their ideas articulately and produce high-quality written work. Teachers use questioning effectively to check pupils' understanding in lessons. They adapt their teaching if they find gaps in pupils' knowledge.

Teachers provide constructive feedback indicating what pupils are good at and where they need to improve, how to do that. As a result, pupils achieve very well.

Pupils have highly positive attitudes toward their learning.

They concentrate fully in lessons and their exemplary behaviour supports their learning. Pupils say that on the rare occasion bullying happens, it is dealt with quickly and resolved. Attendance levels are very high for all pupils.

They love coming to school.

Leaders value pupils' personal development highly. Their ethos of pupils being 'decent human beings' is just as important as their academic development.

Pupils benefit from a highly effective personal, social and health education programme. Pupils understand the importance of healthy relationships and good physical and mental health. They know how to keep themselves safe online.

Where pupils may experience mental health problems, staff provide individual support.

Careers education begins in Year 7. Pupils learn about different types of careers, and the qualifications and skills each one requires.

This supports pupils in Year 9 in making their option choices. All pupils benefit from an extensive range of enrichment opportunities including music lessons, sporting activities and trips around the world.

In the sixth form, students benefit from a very high-quality education in a broad range of subjects.

Lessons are highly challenging, and students rise to that challenge exceedingly well. Students are very well prepared for their next stage in education, employment or training. They are able to make informed decisions about their future.

Many choose to go to university, but increasing numbers are now opting for apprenticeships. Personal development plans are robust in Year 12 but are not yet embedded well enough in Year 13. As a result, these students have not yet had the high-quality experience seen in Year 12.

Leaders have taken practical steps to manage staff workload and to look after their well-being. Staff are very proud to work at the school.

Governance is a strength.

Governors know the school very well and visit regularly. They hold leaders strongly to account and ensure that the school fulfils its statutory duties.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders maintain a constant focus on the safety and well-being of pupils. The safeguarding team is very knowledgeable and knows pupils well. It is vigilant in making sure that pupils are safe.

Staff receive regular safeguarding training. This means that they know the signs that could indicate if a pupil is at risk. Staff follow the school's processes to report any concerns.

Leaders then act quickly to support pupils. Leaders work with external agencies as necessary.Leaders carry out the required checks on the suitability of all staff to work at the school thoroughly.