Northwood School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher provides outstanding leadership. Both he and his senior team are determined to provide the best possible education for all pupils.

Governors carry out their role of supporting and challenging leaders well. They have shown great determination in achieving their vision for Northwood School. Pupils make exceptional progress in all year groups and in almost all subjects.

Disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities also make strong progress. Teachers meet individual pupils' needs exceptionally well. Their detailed subject knowledge, clear explanations and expert use of que...stioning ensure that pupils make substantial progress in their learning.

Leaders are meticulous in ensuring that pupils receive superb pastoral care. The supportive climate enables all pupils to feel safe and to flourish. The curriculum is rich, offering a range of academic and vocational courses and extra-curricular programmes.

Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. They are rightly proud of their school and are unfailingly polite and welcoming to visitors. Pupils firmly reject all forms of discrimination.

They celebrate diversity and are kind and thoughtful to others. As a result, pupils in the school are very well prepared for life in modern Britain. A comprehensive careers programme ensures that pupils and sixth-form students are well informed about opportunities for their next steps in life.

Parents speak admiringly of the school and recognise the efforts of staff to ensure that their children thrive and achieve. Leadership of the new sixth form is strong, and effective teaching is enabling current students to make substantial progress. Nevertheless, to date, students have not achieved the highest grades in academic subjects.

Information about this school

Northwood School is smaller than the average-sized secondary school. Northwood School is a member of the QED multi-academy trust. The academy trust is governed by a trust board.

The trustees have established a local governing body for each of their schools. The sixth form was relaunched in September 2018. Currently, there are 30 students in Year 12 and three students in Year 13.

The proportion of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding is slightly above the national average. The proportion of pupils identified as having SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average. The school has a resourced provision for pupils who have speech, language and communication needs.

There are six pupils within the provision. All pupils are taught within the main school. The school uses alternative provision at The Jubilee Academy, Harrow.