Christ The King Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

From their different starting points, students make good progress. Leaders have taken effective action to address the decline in attainment in 2013, and this has now risen to be in line with national averages. A relentless drive to improve the quality of teaching has led to teaching that is mostly good, and some that is outstanding.

The academy provides a safe, caring and calm environment where all are valued, and learning can flourish. Students attend well and are proud of their welcoming and inclusive community. Those new to the school are made to feel especially welcome.

The Principal sets a clear vision and direction for the... school, and is ably supported by an effective and cohesive leadership team. Their combined efforts and continued determination to improve standards ensure that all are committed to the school's mission statement to 'provide the best experience we can for all in our care in a living faith community'. The school promotes students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development exceptionally well.

Relationships are characterised by high levels of respect and tolerance. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, both within school and in their local communities. These experiences ensure that they are given a good grounding for life in a multi-cultural, multi-faith democracy.

The sixth form is good. As a result of good teaching, students make good progress, and are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. ` It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not all teachers plan work which is accurately matched to the needs of different groups of learners.

As a result a small proportion of students do not make the rapid progress they are capable of. Subject leaders do not all check that assessment is used consistently well by teachers to support students' learning and progress. The feedback that teachers give to students to help them improve is not consistently as effective as it could be.

There are not enough opportunities for teachers to share good practice across subjects.

Information about this school

Christ the King Voluntary Academy converted to an academy on 1 October 2012. When its predecessor, Christ the King School, was last inspected, it was judged to be good.

The academy is smaller than the average secondary school. The proportion of students supported by the Pupil Premium (government funding for those known to be eligible for free school meals, or in the care of the local authority), is in line with the national average. The academy also receives Year 7 catch-up funding for students who did not achieve a level 4 in reading and/or mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2.

While the majority of students are of White British heritage, a higher-than-average number come from minority ethnic backgrounds. Just over 10% of students are of Polish heritage, many of whom are in the early stages of speaking English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below average.

The academy accesses part-time alternative provision in a range of vocational subjects for a small number of students in Years 10 and 11. Along with four primary schools, Christ The King Voluntary Academy forms part of the Pax Christi Multi-Academy Trust. The academy is also part of the Redhill Teaching School Alliance, and has collaborative links with a number of other schools.

Leaders provide training in middle leadership to a number of other schools. The academy holds the Career Mark accreditation. The academy meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectation for students' achievement.