Emmanuel College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Students' achievement is outstanding.

Regardless of their starting points, all students make exceptional progress to exceed significantly the national average by the end of Year 11 and in the sixth form. Teachers are thorough professionals, eager to improve their performance through sharing good practice and undertaking professional development. They have very high expectations of students seen in the challenging targets they set.

Teachers show great skill at both challenging and supporting students to do their best. Behaviour is outstanding. Students follow rules sensibly, so that transition from lesson to lesson on this large s...ite is always smooth and calmly conducted.

Excellent attitudes to learning create a purposeful working atmosphere in all classrooms. Students have been convinced by teachers that the key to success is hard work and they are by no means afraid of this. Provision in the sixth form is excellent.

Students' achievement and their performance in A level examinations are significantly above national averages and is rising year-on-year. Students welcome the many opportunities they have to contribute to the school community and to communities farther afield through charitable fundraising. The excellent curriculum is rich in opportunities for students' academic and personal development.

It successfully delivers the college's aims of developing responsible young people who see beyond themselves to service in the world about them, while reaching the highest academic standards. Outstanding leadership and governance ensure that the college maintains its long-standing high performance. Leaders at all levels show a keen commitment to constantly improving the quality of teaching and outcomes for students.

Information about this school

The college is larger than the average sized secondary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in the care of the local authority, students known to be eligible for free school meals and students whose parents are serving in the armed services, is below average. The majority of students are of White British heritage, with an average number of students from minority ethnic groups.

The proportion of students supported at school action is below average; so too is the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. The college meets government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. The college makes no use of any alternative provision.

As a result of its status, the college works independently of the local authority. Each year in January, the college admits a small group of Year 6 pupils, whose basic skills are significantly below average. This group is given intensive support to improve their basic skills before joining Year 7.