Parkside Studio College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are very happy in this small school.

Pupils arrive in the school at a variety of different starting points and from a wide range of other settings, including from overseas. Leaders and teachers work hard to meet these pupils' very different needs. They make sure that pupils feel welcome, cared for and are safe.

Pupils follow a curriculum that is matched to their interests. As well as studying a core curriculum that includes English, mathematics and science, pupils choose from a range of very well-resourced vocational subjects. Pupils enjoy working in small class sizes.

They benefit from using professional equipment, such green screen technology in the ...creative design studio. This helps them to prepare for the world of work and further training.

Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are positive.

Pupils show respect for each other and their teachers. Leaders, teachers and pupils have created a sense of community. This is exemplified by participation in the weekly lunchtime karaoke session in the school dining area, sports clubs and the positive interactions between staff and pupils.

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

Leaders have thought very carefully about the curriculum. They know pupils' different starting points. Curriculum content for English, science and mathematics has been designed carefully so that pupils are well prepared for GCSE examinations in these subjects.

Pupils apply the knowledge they learn in mathematics to other courses, for example calculating interest rates in business studies.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and present information clearly. They check that pupils understand through careful questioning and regular assessment activities.

This also helps pupils to remember more over time. Teachers know their pupils very well, including the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils at the early stages of learning to speak English as an additional language receive tailored support to boost their spoken and written English.

Vocational courses are taught by specialists in very well-equipped areas. The hair and beauty salon enables pupils to apply their skills in a professional setting. Pupils access the local radio station to experience a working broadcasting environment.

Pupils start vocational courses in Year 9 and time to study a breadth of other curriculum subjects is limited. This means, for example, that pupils' understanding of world religions or important events in world history is not as well developed as their learning in other subjects.

Leaders have created a calm and orderly school.

They support pupils to exercise self-control and succeed in their education. Pupils take pride in their learning and they are proud of their school. Discriminatory or unkind language is not tolerated.

Leaders ensure that pupils learn important life skills through a carefully thought-through programme of personal, social and health education. Sensitive issues are taught in an age-appropriate way, and experts from outside agencies regularly come to speak to the pupils. Pupils are encouraged to take on responsibility in the school council or as head boy and head girl.

Leaders make sure that pupils broaden their horizons through a range of outings to places of interest and to universities. An ambitious programme of careers education ensures that pupils benefit from a range of experiences of the world of work, further education and training.

Leaders in the trust provide ongoing support for the school.

Trustees have an overview of some of the key issues that the college is facing, particularly the low numbers in the sixth form. There has not been a local governing board in place for a long time. This means that there is limited routine scrutiny or support for leaders.

Leaders have established a stable staffing body of subject specialists. Staff benefit from a very clear programme of professional development. Staff are very positive about working here and they feel very well supported.

They know that leaders take their well-being seriously.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders know every pupil very well.

They are also very aware of the potential risks to pupils' safety and well-being. Leaders ensure that they put in place early support to prevent any issues from escalating. All staff are very well trained and updated on safeguarding issues.

Staff report any concerns, no matter how small they may seem.

Pupils feel very safe at this school and said that this is one of the reasons they like the school so much. They know they can talk to any adult if they have any concerns.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Pupils start their vocational courses in Year 9. This means that time to develop pupils' understanding of other subjects, such as religious education, is sometimes limited. Leaders should take steps to ensure pupils learn important content from a range of curriculum subjects in Year 9 so that pupils build their knowledge.

• The number of students enrolled in the sixth form is low. This means that there is no sense of community for sixth-form students, and courses and resources are not utilised as intended. Leaders should take steps to increase the number of students who choose to study post-16 courses so that sixth-form students can be part of a learning community, making full use of the resources on offer.

Governance has been in a state of transition for too long and there has been no local area board for some time. This means that there is limited routine scrutiny of the school's work, for example on curriculum decisions. Leaders at the trust should expedite plans to create a local area board so that school leaders can be supported and challenged in line with the published scheme of delegation.

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