Alderman Knight School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher has very high expectations of pupils and staff. She has ensured that the school has maintained its high standards of teaching since the previous inspection.

School leaders and members of the governing body work very effectively together to closely monitor all aspects of the school's work and plan future developments. Staff are extremely positive about how well the school is led and managed. They value being able to contribute their ideas to improvement plans and feel very well supported in their work.

Teachers know the pupils extremely well. They use this knowledge to identify individualised targets which help pupi...ls make outstanding progress in their learning and personal development. Leaders and governors have ensured that the curriculum includes a wide range of subjects designed to develop pupils' academic, vocational and life skills.

Pupils are highly engaged in their learning and achieve appropriate qualifications. As a result, they leave school exceptionally well prepared for the next phase of their lives. Pupils feel safe and secure.

The school safeguards pupils extremely well. Members of the senior leadership team and subject leaders keep a very close eye on how well pupils are progressing. If a pupil is not achieving what is expected, additional support is quickly put in place.

The impact of this support is carefully checked to ensure that pupils catch up. Pupils show excellent attitudes to learning and enjoy their lessons. Behaviour in lessons and during social times is excellent.

Both the tutor and pastoral support teams provide strong support to pupils to help them manage any difficulties they have. Since it was opened in 2016, the sixth form has enabled many students to achieve very well. Students benefit from strong teaching and a curriculum that is planned around their individual needs.

They make outstanding progress in all areas of their work. Teachers' excellent subject knowledge helps pupils excel across the curriculum, as well as in English and mathematics. Some new staff do not have enough knowledge of pupils' different special needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to ensure that pupils can engage fully in all lessons.

However, this does not affect their overall rates of progress.

Information about this school

All pupils have an EHC plan. The majority of pupils have moderate and additional complex learning needs.

A small minority of pupils have severe learning difficulties. Pupils who attend the school come from a number of different local authority areas. Since the previous inspection the school has added a sixth form.

Pupil numbers have increased significantly over the past few years. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is higher than the national average. A smaller proportion of pupils than average speak English as an additional language.