Hartismere School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The attainment all students in a range of subjects including mathematics and English is often well above the national average.

The achievement of the most-able students is frequently outstanding. The headteacher has established an ethos of high expectations and aspiration across the whole school and parents, staff and students share his sense of ambition. As a result, students are very well prepared to make a positive contribution to society.

Leadership in mathematics and English, and of the provision for disadvantaged and disabled students and those who have special educational needs, is outstanding. The schools' work with its p...artner primary schools is highly effective and ensures a smooth transition for students when they first enter the school. Governors and school leaders have a good understanding of their school and monitor the quality of teaching expertly to ensure that achievement is always high.

Their work to promote British values of tolerance and respect is exemplary. Students' behaviour both around the school and during lessons is excellent. They develop outstanding attitudes to learning and have a healthy respect for each other and their school environment.

The school's work to keep the students safe is outstanding and monitored regularly and rigorously. The school instils a deep understanding of responsibility in all students, and their charity work through the Hartismere 100 is impressive. The quality of teaching across the school is outstanding.

This leads to remarkable rates of progress across subjects and years. Provision and leadership in the sixth form are outstanding. As a result, progress is at least good.

A high proportion of the students go on to higher education including the top universities. Marking in a few areas is not consistently of the same excellent quality as that found in the great majority of subjects.

Information about this school

This is the first inspection of the school since it converted to academy status in September 2010.

When the previous school, Hartismere High School, was last inspected in February 2010, it was judged to be outstanding. Hartismere School is a slightly smaller than average secondary school. The school population is mainly White British with a lower-than-average proportion of students from other ethnic groups.

Approximately a fifth of the school population are disabled students and those who have special educational needs, which is slightly above average. The proportion of disadvantaged students (those known to be eligible for the pupil premium) is approximately 13%, which is below the national average. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.

A small minority of students in Key Stage 4 follow an alternative curriculum. These students attend vocational courses at Otley College for part of the week. The school is supported by a School Improvement Partner.