Beckfoot School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Students and all the staff are immensely proud to be 'Beckfoot Learners' in this outstanding school.

Students make exceptional progress in different subjects and in different year groups. They have high aspirations and support each other in achieving high standards. Leaders and managers, including the governors, have been systematic in ensuring that disadvantaged students catch up quickly and securely with their peers.

Teaching is outstanding because teachers are passionate about developing their practice. Their questioning skills are especially strong. Teachers' marking is thorough and regular but students' response to teachers'... written comments is not always of the highest quality.

Students' behaviour is excellent and their terrific attitudes to learning play a vital part in securing their outstanding progress. They feel very safe. Students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is exemplary.

Their verve and enjoyment of life and learning run through all aspects of school life. The inspirational headteacher has made the improvement of teaching and learning his relentless focus. Along with his creative and dynamic senior team, he has ensured that teachers are equally obsessed with getting the very best from students.

Teachers are supported extremely well. They relish the challenge they get from senior and middle leaders. Students have strong opportunities to make their views known and contribute to the school and wider community.

They are curious, independent and confident. The sixth form is outstanding. Students in the sixth form make excellent progress because : teachers have very high expectations.

The guidance they have before, during and towards the end of their time in the sixth form is finely judged. A strong moral purpose permeates the school, allowing all members of the community to thrive and flourish. This is exemplified by the contribution the school makes to improve the quality of education in other schools in the Bradford community.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average secondary school. It converted to academy status in August 2013. When its predecessor school, also known as Beckfoot School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good.

There is a specialist resource provision for students with physical disabilities. Ten students currently attend this provision. The school is co-located with Hazelbeck School, which is a special school and is inspected as a separate institution.

Inspection reports for Hazelbeck School can be viewed at www.ofsted.gov.

uk. The proportions of students from minority ethnic backgrounds are above the national average. Students with a Pakistani heritage are the largest minority ethnic group.

The proportion of those who speak English as an additional language is below the national average. The proportion of students who are eligible for support through pupil premium (which provides additional funding for students in local authority care and those known to be eligible for free school meals) is slightly below the national average. The proportion of students registered as disabled or with a statement of special educational needs is below the national average, as is the number of students supported at school action plus.

The proportion of students supported through school action is above the national average. The school has alternative provision arrangements with JAMES, Yorkshire Tiling Academy, Educate Through Sport, PRISM and Confianza. There are nine students attending these provisions.

The headteacher is a Local Leader in Education. He and other senior staff support other schools in the local community. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.

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