Highworth Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

A culture of academic excellence, underpinned by nurturing care, enables pupils to thrive in this exceptional school. Pupils are immensely proud of the outstanding academic and personal achievements they make.

They consistently rise to the high expectations that all staff have of them. During their time at school, pupils acquire an extensive rich range of skills and knowledge that prepares them well for life.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive effective help from staff that know them very well.

Students joining the sixth form receive a welcoming induction to school life. This support enables students to embody the respect...ful ethos the school exudes. Pupils feel very safe in school because staff expertly address any worries that arise.

The school successfully educates pupils to respect differences and celebrate commonalities. A number of societies such as the 'Afro-Caribbean society' enables pupils from all backgrounds to gain a deep understanding of culture and heritage.

The school is exemplary in the way it empowers pupil voice.

Student governors provide respectful challenge and influence important decisions about their education. Pupils benefit from meaningful peer mentorship. Sixth-form students provide academic support for younger pupils to help them catch up with their learning.

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

The ambitious curriculum is meticulously designed to enable pupils to achieve high levels of academic success. Across the different key stages, the curriculum builds in complexity towards ambitious aims. Teachers design lessons to help pupils regularly practise recall of essential knowledge.

This develops pupils' ability to think quickly, applying what they know with impressive agility. Pupils routinely debate ideas in a scholarly and informed way. Teachers have high expectations in lessons.

They insist pupils use accurate and ambitious vocabulary in their work. Using probing questions, teachers expertly elicit pupils' thinking and check for gaps in understanding. Gaps in learning are swiftly addressed through precise and clear feedback.

Consequently, pupils and sixth-form students achieve exceptionally well.

Disadvantaged pupils, including those with SEND, also achieve very well. The school forensically monitors the impact of the support for pupils who need it.

Additional help is swiftly put in place if pupils struggle to achieve in line with aspirational outcomes. Thoughtful support in the 'SEND suite' enables pupils to regulate their feelings and prepare them for learning. The school routinely identifies pupils who need help to read with confidence.

Targeted reading support develops pupils' fluency and reading confidence. A large proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language. This regular support particularly benefits them.

The school's approach to pupils' wider development lives up to the school's motto of 'Reach for the Stars'. Students in the sixth form enthuse about the thought-provoking seminar programme. It enhances their understanding of current affairs, increasing their awareness of life in modern Britain.

The school partners with other international schools.They form pupil exchanges that enrich pupils' understanding of being a global citizen. Opportunities to take part in clubs and trips are abundant.

The school prioritises help for disadvantaged pupils to remove financial barriers to participation. During lessons and mentor time, pupils learn to debate ideas in considered ways. Clubs such as 'model United Nations', debate clubs and law societies enable pupils to grapple with important global issues.

The school council and student ambassadors effectively influence positive changes in school, for example organising 'focus days' and charity work. The school is exemplary in the way it enables pupils to articulate themselves in a mature and insightful way.

Careers education threads through the academic curriculum, providing insights to inspirational careers.

Unbiased guidance ensures that pupils are fully informed of the numerous pathways open to them when they leave school. Students in the sixth form receive advice and mentoring to help make successful university applications. The school regularly reviews the careers offer to ensure this education is reflective of pupils' aspirations.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable. Staff have fair and consistent high expectations. Pupils demonstrate responsibility for their own actions.

They attend lessons on time, motivated to succeed. Staff provide responsive and effective support to remove barriers to positive attendance. Consequently, there have been significant improvements in whole-school attendance.

Leadership at all levels tenaciously seek ways to improve and refine the school's work. Trustees know the school very well. They provide rigorous but supportive challenge to ensure the school provides a highly effective education.

The school is outward facing, collaborating with local schools to share expertise. Staff are immensely proud of the wonderfully inclusive culture that enables pupils to flourish.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.