Connaught School for Girls

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

Cultural harmony is a major feature of this good school's special atmosphere, which is much appreciated and valued by all members of the school community. Whatever their backgrounds, pupils work well together and have excellent relationships with staff.

They are happy and feel very safe. The vast majority of pupils in all groups achieve extremely well. The percentage of pupils attaining five GCSE A* to C grades, including English and mathematics, is significantly above average, as is the percentage attaining A* and A grades in some subjects, including English language.

A successful school focus on literacy has contributed to high attainment. Results are strong in modern foreign languages, the ...school's specialism. Pupils' behaviour in lessons is excellent.

Pupils are keen to do well and work hard, particularly when in groups or pairs, although teachers do not always give pupils enough opportunities for such collaborative work. Teaching that is predominantly good, and sometimes outstanding, secures thorough understanding and knowledge in most subjects, but does not always enthuse pupils to enjoy learning. Teachers provide examination support through many helpful revision sessions and additional tuition, both within and beyond school hours.

Some do not mark work regularly enough between assessments or match work closely enough to pupils' different ability levels. The headteacher leads the school extremely well, with good support from a small leadership team. Her commitment and determination to keep raising standards are evident in all her work.

The governing body has a very good grasp of how to probe and challenge school performance data. Middle leaders' leadership and monitoring of teaching and learning have improved in recent years, but are still not always incisive enough. Nevertheless, the school's proven strengths in self-evaluation mean that the school is well placed to carry on improving.

Information about the school

The school is much smaller than the average secondary school. Approximately 90% of the pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds, although a very low percentage do not speak English as their first language. For many years, the largest ethnic group, now 26% of the pupils, has been of Pakistani heritage.

White British, Black Caribbean and African pupils each make up about 10% of the school's population, with smaller percentages of many other minority ethnic groups. A large proportion of pupils are Muslims with Christian, Sikh and Hindu faiths also represented. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is below the national average, as is the proportion of pupils who have a statement of special educational needs. The school has had a modern foreign language specialism for 10 years. The school has exceeded the government's floor targets for academic performance in each of the last three years.