Highlands School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are exceptionally 'proud to be part of Highlands'. They thrive in this diverse and inclusive school, exemplifying the 'DARE' values of determination, aspiration, respect and equality.

Pupils develop positive relationships. They celebrate each other's differences in school events such as 'Culture and Heritage Day', mixing well socially. As one pupil said, representing the views of many, 'There is no divide here.

We all get on together.' This helps to ensure pupils feel safe and are kept safe in school.

The curriculum, including in the sixth form, is ambitious, demonstrating the school's high expectations.

Pupils readily participate in the vast ...range of activities on offer. The four 'DARE' days help to ensure pupils access visits, including to the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tower of London. The programme of outings extends to the sixth form, where students have benefited from watching a live theatre performance, a history tour to Berlin and a visit to Oxford University.

The school ensures there are no barriers to prevent pupils from accessing the full extra-curricular offer.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They understand what is expected of them and show high levels of respect.

This is because the school's approach to behaviour is one of 'prevention before sanction'. Pupils who need additional support to manage their behaviour receive the help they need.

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

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve highly, including in national examinations.

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, secure a deep knowledge in the different subjects they learn. This is a result of the school's highly effective and consistent approach to delivering the well-designed curriculum. Each subject sets out precisely the most important knowledge, including key vocabulary, that pupils will learn and in what order.

For example, in English, younger pupils explore writers' different methods. Older pupils build on this to make more nuanced and sophisticated inferences about the words writers use. This prepares pupils exceptionally well for their later learning.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge. The school has rightly prioritised developing teachers' practice. As a result, teachers skilfully choose learning activities that best help build and secure pupils' knowledge over time.

Assessment is used effectively to identify and correct any errors or misconceptions. As a result, these do not persist in pupils' work and prevent them from learning more complex ideas as they progress through the curriculum.

Pupils with SEND and those who struggle to read well are swiftly identified.

Teachers are well supported to adapt their teaching and provide additional help for any pupils who need it. Pupils benefit from this approach, accessing the same ambitious curriculum as their peers wherever this is possible.

The school's high expectations for behaviour are well understood and consistently applied.

Staff reinforce the school's messages when teaching the curriculum, delivering assemblies and during less structured times. Pupils meet these high expectations, displaying consistently positive attitudes to learning in class and outside of lessons. The school tracks any behaviour incidents carefully.

Bullying and 'banter' are not tolerated. Any such incidents are swiftly identified and addressed through the personal, social and health education curriculum, assemblies and pastoral support.

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

The school's vision of developing confident, autonomous individuals is fully realised. Pupils demonstrate a mature understanding of societal values. For example, pupils participate in a mock election to develop their understanding of the importance of democracy.

There is a comprehensive programme of careers advice and guidance. For example, all sixth-form students access an individual interview with a careers adviser. Pupils and students take part in high-quality work experience and have numerous opportunities to speak with a wide range of education providers and employers.

This contributes to the different destinations students in the sixth form progress to.

Leaders and those responsible for governance have made sure that the school continues to provide an excellent education for its pupils. Leaders are highly effective because they are strongly analytical and are outward-facing.

They work closely with the local authority as well as nationally recognised professionals. Engagement with staff, parents and carers and the wider community is strong and valued by leaders. Staff consider leaders to be highly considerate of their workload and well-being.

They benefit from the training and development opportunities provided. Parents are overwhelmingly happy with the education and support their children receive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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