Raynes Park High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Strong leadership has maintained the good quality of education at the school since the previous inspection.

The school is a welcoming, purposeful and sociable centre of learning. Staff model leaders' high expectations so that pupils are considerate and respectful towards each other and their teachers. Leaders carefully plan a curriculum so that individual pupils study subjects and gain qualifications that match their career aspirations.

Pupils are well prepared for the next stages of their education and employment. Teachers convey their strong subject knowledge confidently and enthusiastically. Pupils are motivated and keen to learn.
...
Leaders oversee accurate and comprehensive assessment systems. Teachers use these effectively to guide pupils on how to improve their work and deepen their learning. There is a well-organised, thorough approach to safeguarding pupils across the school.

Pupils feel safe in the school and are alert to contemporary risks because of the guidance they receive. Rapid improvements in the quality of teaching and learning in the sixth form mean that students are making good progress. Leaders ensure that students have good academic and pastoral support to manage their studies successfully.

The support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and for those who speak English as an additional language, is a strength of the school. Pupils receive personalised, intensive support so they achieve well. Leaders value highly their communications and contact with parents.

A range of initiatives has led to increasing numbers of parents attending school events. Pupils generally make good progress across the curriculum. Disadvantaged pupils achieve less well than their peers.

While this gap has reduced overall, it persists in older year groups. Overall attendance is above average. However, disadvantaged pupils are absent from school more often than their peers.

On occasions, pupils do not move on to more complex work when they are ready. This limits progress, especially of the most able pupils.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized secondary school.

The number of pupils on roll has increased since the previous inspection. The proportion of pupils with an education and health care plan (EHC plan) is above average, as is the proportion receiving support with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There is a well-above-average proportion of pupils eligible for support with the pupil premium funding.

More pupils than average speak English as an additional language. Pupils represent a wide range of minority ethnic groups. Most pupils represent White British backgrounds.

The school includes a special unit for pupils who have an EHC plan for autism spectrum disorder, attended by 23 pupils. The school uses an off-site pupil referral unit, the Smart Centre at The Chaucer Centre, Canterbury Rd, Morden SM4 6PT. This is alternative provision for a few pupils.