Bartholomew School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at this exceptional school.

The shared ambition of supporting pupils to feel 'happy, safe and challenged' is realised fully. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and purposeful. This means that lessons are highly productive.

A studious culture pervades the school.

Everyone benefits from carefully planned activities that build pupils' character. Students in the sixth form relish the numerous opportunities to be positive role models for younger pupils.

For example, they run the school council and through this they contribute to the school's development plan. This teaches them crucial skills, such as project leadership and tim...e management. The house system adds to pupils' sense of belonging.

Many pupils take on leadership roles, such as becoming 'house representatives' and all pupils throw themselves into the inter-house competitions to earn much desired house points. Sixth-form students act as 'reading ambassadors' and 'numeracy ambassadors', providing vital support to younger pupils. These opportunities, and many more, characterise the strong sense of community in the school.

Pupils make excellent use of the extensive range of extra-curricular activities on offer. For example, lots attend musical theatre society, Mandarin club, medical society, chess club and many more. They undertake a wide range of trips, visits and competitions, including in art and mathematics, alongside a multitude of sporting activities.

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

The curriculum is meticulously planned. Staff are relentless in their pursuit of excellence for all pupils. The programmes of study in key stages 3 and 4 are broad and ambitious.

Precise curriculum design ensures that new knowledge builds on pupils' prior learning. In the sixth form, students follow tailored programmes of study that support their needs and ambitions.

Disadvantaged pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve very strongly.

The school responds immediately when pupils' performance is not in line with its aspirational end points. Forensic analysis of outcomes helps teachers understand how to support pupils more effectively. The school is adamant that nothing should be a barrier to learning.

As a result, staff provide extensive support in the classroom and beyond. Pupils with SEND are supported with care and the school's recent improvements for these pupils means that these pupils are now achieving really well.

Teachers are experts in their subjects and continually strive to enhance their own subject knowledge.

All staff receive relevant and stimulating training. The school makes good use of links with local academia, for example an 'historian in residence' from a local university delivers additional professional development as well as lectures to students in the sixth form. This prepares students well for higher education.

Teachers present information clearly. Staff responsible for leading subjects provide teachers with specialist guidance about the best strategies to use to maximise pupils' learning. This is continually evaluated to ensure that staff use the most productive and highly tailored approaches.

Teachers methodically review learning to check for gaps in pupils' knowledge or areas of misunderstanding. These are addressed swiftly. This means that pupils achieve consistently highly, particularly in the sixth form.

Everyone promotes reading. Pupils learn and use subject-specific vocabulary very effectively. Some pupils who have fallen behind in reading before they join the school receive specialist support, to quickly gain the knowledge and skills they need to read well.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable because staff have clear and consistent expectations. They are punctual to lessons and move around the site sensibly. The school is relentless in ensuring that pupils attend school regularly and on time.

There is a strong culture of care. Pastoral staff get to know families well. This enables them to take effective and timely actions if pupils' attendance begins to falter.

The school works to remove barriers tirelessly.

The wider personal development of pupils is a shining strength. Through the 'Learning for Life' programme, pupils study a carefully crafted curriculum that prepares them well for life in modern Britain.

They learn about tolerance and diversity. Assemblies and external speakers support this. Pupils learn to form balanced opinions, practise debating and some join the 'Big questions club' to extend these skills even further.

Pupils receive purposeful careers information, education, advice and guidance. A wide range of education and training providers engage with pupils regularly. This provides valuable inspiration and insights into many possible careers and routes into further study.

Students in the sixth form receive appropriate support with university applications. The school evaluates its provision systematically and continually seeks to strengthen it further.

Trustees, governors, leaders and staff all share the same ambitious and inclusive vision.

Together, trustees and governors hold leaders to account intelligently, rigorously and effectively. 'Aspiration, collaboration and excellence' is at the heart of everything. Leaders continually seek ways to improve and share their considerable expertise.

The school is outward facing and welcomes collaboration with other schools. Staff are justifiably proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.