Denbigh High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are very proud to attend Denbigh High School.

They appreciate that teachers have high expectations of them and want them to be the best they can be. The curriculum is highly ambitious for all pupils to succeed. Pupils respond positively to this challenge and commit themselves to success in and out of lessons.

The school offers a huge range of well-attended and inclusive extra-curricular clubs, including chess, gardening, and many sports. Pupils take part in an impressive enrichment programme. As part of this, they go to concerts and to the theatre.

Pupils take part in competitions, for example designing apps to educate people about climate change. In a...ddition to learning the curriculum and achieving very highly in examinations, they become confident, tolerant, and resilient young people.Pupils feel safe at this school.

They know about potential dangers. If pupils have concerns about their well-being, they feel confident enough to seek support and know how to access it.

Pupils treat each other and adults with respect.

They behave very well in and out of the classroom. There is very little bullying and leaders deal with any incidents robustly.

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

The school has thought very carefully, both about what pupils need to know and how pupils learn what they need to know.

The curriculum is rigorously planned, so that pupils can securely build up a broad range of knowledge over time. Teachers regularly check what pupils have learned; they skilfully adapt their teaching to close any gaps in pupils' knowledge and ensure any misconceptions are addressed.

The curriculum is broad, innovative, and highly ambitious for all learners, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 build on their learning in the creative arts by carrying out extended projects in production studies. These also develop pupils' presentational skills and independence. Most pupils study languages in key stage 4.

Teachers use activities that are very well matched to pupils' needs. This enables all pupils to access the full curriculum. Wider reading tasks and online resources stimulate pupils' curiosity and successfully deepen their knowledge.

Pupils read often and widely, including in form time. The library is very popular. Books are carefully chosen to match and extend pupils' literacy.

The school checks pupils' ability to read regularly. When pupils need additional support to become fluent and accurate readers, they receive it. As a result, they swiftly catch up with their peers.

Pupils are determined to do well. They grasp the importance of learning and learn how to study effectively. In lessons, pupils are engaged and active; they have an exceptional attitude to their learning.

Pupils support each other to do well and seek to include everyone in the life of the school. Staff and pupils live up to the school's motto, 'high achievement for all is our shared responsibility.' Pupils' attendance at school is exemplary.

On the very rare occasions that pupils need support to improve their behaviour, staff support them to do so. As a result, pupils make considerable progress in their learning, free of interruptions to lessons.

The school's values permeate through everything that it does.

The personal development curriculum is planned very carefully. It ensures that pupils know how to keep themselves safe and healthy. Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain among people with different lifestyles and beliefs.

External visitors lead memorable sessions on topics, such as gender equality and the dangers of knife crime. The careers programme is comprehensive. Pupils meet a wide range of employers and do work experience.

They gain the knowledge needed to make informed choices about their next steps.

The school is relentless in its pursuit of excellence. Leaders constantly seek ways of improving the school further.

Staff and leaders follow the philosophy: 'don't prove, improve'. They work together and support each other to improve their practice. The trust provides useful training, which improves the quality of teaching.

Governors check safeguarding and, with other leaders, work closely with parents.

Staff, including early career teachers, say that they are well supported with their well-being and workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.