Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Bennett Memorial is highly ambitious for its pupils. Staff deliver the sophisticated curriculum very effectively. As a result, all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve exceptionally well.

Students benefit from a similarly ambitious curriculum in the sixth form. Here, they develop critical knowledge, understanding and skills, which prepares them extremely well for future study. Sixth-form students are excellent role models for younger pupils.

Pupils' conduct is exemplary, particularly in lessons. They are well mannered, polite and courteous to each other and to staff. Disruption to learning is incredibly rare.
<...br/>Pupils actively support each other's learning. This means that any misconceptions are used as opportunities to develop and deepen pupils' thinking.

There is an extensive range of opportunities to inspire and develop pupils' talents and interests.

Opportunities to serve and volunteer are abundant because of the school's unshakeably clear and Christian character and ethos. These opportunities help pupils learn how to live out the school's values of hope, wisdom and love. Pupils learn to use debating skills highly proficiently and learn about democracy in detail.

They have a deep understanding of fundamental British values and protected characteristics. Pupils are thoroughly prepared for life in modern Britain.

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

This is a highly inclusive school.

Regardless of pupils' starting points, all pupils study the school's broad and challenging curriculum. Drawing from a diverse range of beliefs, backgrounds and abilities, the school is unashamedly ambitious for all. A very high proportion of pupils study the English Baccalaureate subjects successfully.

As a result of rigorous and ongoing training, all staff contribute to the continual refinement of the curriculum. This enables teachers to focus on the most effective strategies that help pupils to know more and remember more. The school's stated intention, to build an 'aspirational curriculum to provide powerful knowledge to pupils', is evident throughout.

Knowledge and skills build over time so that pupils tackle increasingly challenging questions with fluency and confidence. In mathematics, 'retrieve, reactivate and review' homework tasks strengthen pupils' recall of key parts of the curriculum and help pupils to learn new knowledge and skills effectively. In all lessons, teachers check how well pupils understand and remember key knowledge systematically.

They use this information to modify explanations and teaching activities and to inform their planning of future lessons effectively.

Reading is a particularly high priority for the school. All English lessons dedicate a considerable amount of time to developing pupils' reading, and pupils choose texts that both challenge and interest them.

This cultivates a deep love of reading in pupils. The library is very well used and is a fulsome resource. Reading is prominent across the curriculum.

For example, in science, extracts of texts and in-depth academic articles develop pupils' key comprehension and interpretation skills. Vocabulary is paramount. Students in the sixth form develop increasingly technical language and terminology.

One student, typical of many, said they and their peers 'have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge'.

Pupils understand and recognise the importance of the school's high expectations for their behaviour and conduct. As a result, lessons are calm and productive.

A very small number of pupils receive tailored support to help them to improve their behaviour. This is highly effective. Rates of attendance are very strong.

The school takes intelligent, effective and proportionate action to support any pupils whose attendance begins to fall.

The school has planned and organised the personal development 'co-curriculum' superbly. It complements the academic curriculum highly effectively.

Pupils learn essential character traits such as resilience and persistence through a variety of different opportunities and activities. The school meticulously plans the 'Bennett journey' for pupils so that, from the minute they join, they know that they are a valued part of the school family. The 'guild system' underpins this.

Pupils relish the opportunity to earn valuable guild points through carefully designed opportunities. 'Guild assemblies' celebrate pupils' achievements collaboratively. Many pupils aspire to take on positions of responsibility in the guilds, such as becoming guild prefects.

Rewards, in the form of 'i-points', are highly valued by pupils. They cherish the gold, silver and bronze certificates they receive in recognition of their 'i-points' and earnestly work towards 'graduating' from Year 11 with merit or distinction.

Professional development for staff is systematic and of exceptional quality.

Coaching and collaboration are well embedded. Through this, teachers continually refine their subject knowledge and teaching expertise. Trustees and governors have an accurate and critical strategic oversight of the school, which helps to maintain a focus on continual improvement.

This has a direct impact on the quality of education. Staff are extremely proud to work at the school, and they know that leaders do all they can to support their workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.