High Storrs School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Students' GCSE attainment has been above the national average for the last three years and longer.

The progress of most students is good or better over time. The sixth form is outstanding because : teaching and outcomes for sixth-form students are outstanding. Teaching is generally good and sometimes outstanding.

The proportion of weaker teaching is low and teaching is improving because of effective systems for professional development. Students' behaviour is outstanding. Their positive attitude to learning and contribution to the whole school community are exemplary at all key stages.

Students feel safe. The school's curriculum... allows students to undertake studies that are very well matched to their needs and that particularly allow more-able students to thrive. Students willingly participate in a broad range of extra-curricular activities, which strongly contributes to their social, moral, spiritual, and cultural development.

The headteacher and other senior leaders are highly effective, with a clear understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. They check regularly on teaching and achievement and this is helping to improve students' learning further. Leaders and governors justifiably have the confidence of their community and are well placed to take the school forward.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Outcomes are lower for some students of Pakistani heritage who speak English as an additional language and some lower-ability students. These students are not yet making the same good progress as others in the school, most notably in science and mathematics. Some teaching does not consistently match precisely all students' needs.

Students are not always clear about how to improve their work. School leaders, including governors, do not make full use of performance information to secure consistently good progress for some students.

Information about this school

High Storrs School is a much larger-than-average school with a growing sixth form of 440 students.

The school is designated as a specialist school for performing arts, and mathematics and computing. The number of boys and girls in the school is approximately equal. The school has a lower proportion of students for whom the school receives the pupil premium than found nationally.

The pupil premium is additional funding for students known to be eligible for free school meals, in local authority care or whose parents are in the armed forces. The proportion of students from ethnic minorities and those for whom English is not their first language is higher than found nationally. The majority of students are of White British heritage and a small minority are of Pakistani heritage.

The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is in line with the national average. The proportions supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs are much smaller than national averages. The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.

A very few students, found at Key Stage 4, are educated part time at a range of alternative providers. These students extend their school experience at W.O.

R.K, Recycle, Heeley City Farm, Sheffield College, and Red Tape (SMP Media Productions). The school has specialist resourcing for a very few students with speech and hearing impairment.