Sir John Leman High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The school has improved significantly since the last inspection. Successful actions by leaders have led to improved results at key stage 4. These are now above the national average in a wide range of subjects, including English and mathematics.

The positive relationships between pupils and teachers are a distinctive feature of this school. Pupils' conduct around school and behaviour in lessons are exemplary, which enables pupils to make good progress. Leaders have created a highly aspirational culture.

The broad and balanced curriculum combines with an impressive range of extra-curricular activities to raise achievement. Pupils are prepar...ed exceptionally well for the next stage in their education. Pupils feel safe in school.

Bullying is rare. Pupils know that if they have any concerns or worries that staff will respond quickly. Leaders monitor vulnerable pupils closely.

Parents have exceptionally high opinions of the school. The vast majority of parents say that their children are happy, safe and well behaved. Pupils' overall attendance is above average because they enjoy school.

Disadvantaged pupils' attendance has improved rapidly but is still lower than that of other pupils nationally. The overall effectiveness of the sixth form is good. Very helpful information, advice and guidance are leading to an improvement in sixth-form students' progress.

Students' attendance is average. Leaders ensure that pupils read regularly at school, but the whole school's literacy strategy is not as effective as it could be in improving pupils' communication skills. Teachers use their excellent subject knowledge to plan learning that matches the needs of different groups of pupils.

Some teachers do not always check pupils' understanding before moving on, so some pupils make slower progress. Disadvantaged pupils' progress is improving, but does not match that of other pupils nationally because teachers' expectations are not high enough. Leaders have ensured that almost all teachers consistently follow the school's feedback policy.

In some subjects, pupils are not acting on this feedback and this slows progress. Governors are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the school. However, the school's priorities for improvement are not clear to all leaders and staff.

This slows further improvement.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.

Sir John Leman is larger than the average-sized secondary school and converted to become an academy before the last inspection in October 2011. Since the last inspection, the school has been part of the ongoing reorganisation of education in Suffolk, and now educates pupils aged from 11 to 18 years. Most pupils are White British.

The proportions of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and those who speak English as an additional language are below the national average. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium is average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average.

The proportion with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is average. A small group of pupils attend off-site training at Lowestoft College or Nexus Engineering for work-related study programmes or The Attic for a personal development curriculum. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of key stage 4 and the sixth form.