St Clement Danes School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are tremendously proud to attend St Clement Danes. They value and strive to maintain the traditions and history of their school. Pupils know that teachers have the highest aspirations for them.

They understand that the school expects all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to achieve success. Pupils match this ambition with their own thirst for knowledge. They work hard and produce work of exceptional quality.

Pupils achieve extremely well in public examinations.

Pupils are highly respectful of one another. All pupils are treated with the same level of kindness and dignity.

Behaviour in lessons an...d around the school is exceptionally good. Pupils know how their behaviour can influence others. As a result, they choose to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct.

Older pupils are respected role models. Pupils thrive in a school where they feel valued, safe and happy.

Pupils take advantage of an almost limitless wealth of extra-curricular opportunities.

They enjoy a comprehensive offer of cultural, intellectual and sporting endeavours. Pupils take on responsibility with fervour. They organise events that raise large sums of money for local and national charities.

The role of school prefect is highly respected and sought after.

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

The school's curriculum is broad and balanced. Careful thought has been put into determining what knowledge pupils need to be successful leaders of the future.

The school has placed equal value on developing pupils' character alongside subject expertise. Not constrained by the limits of exam requirements, the result is a highly ambitious curriculum. Pupils can develop a rich and deep understanding of the world around them.

Teachers are specialists. They design learning experiences that consistently deliver the planned curriculum. Explanations of complex and abstract concepts in the sixth form are as clear and precise as those of basic concepts in Year 7.

Teachers help pupils draw together new knowledge with what they already know.

Teachers use well-constructed examples to show pupils how they should structure their written responses. Supported by detailed information, teachers ensure that the needs of pupils with SEND are met.

Teachers check carefully to see if pupils have understood. This helps identify any misconceptions, which teachers remedy immediately. As a result, the quality of pupils' work is exemplary.

Oral responses are highly articulate, and pupils use subject-specific language proficiently. Written work is detailed and illustrative of the depth of pupils' learning.

The school places great importance on reading.

For pupils who struggle to read, there is a highly effective support programme. The programme tackles specific barriers to confident and fluent reading. It is aligned with the English curriculum, so pupils keep up with their peers.

Pupils whose first language is not English are equally well supported by this programme.

Sixth-form students develop high levels of independence. They take ownership of their learning.

Supported by first-rate teaching, they develop an excellent understanding of their chosen subjects. With the extensive support they receive around future steps, they are extremely well prepared as they move on beyond school.

The personal development programme is extensive.

Pupils learn about key issues as they move through the school in age-appropriate ways. They speak knowledgably about important values such as democracy, having studied the way it works within different countries and systems. Pupils understand and value difference.

They understand that others may have differing opinions to their own.

Pupils have access to a wealth of information about all possible future routes through an impressive careers programme. An extensive alumni base gives pupils first-hand advice, guidance and work-related experiences.

Consequently, the decisions that pupils make are well-informed This leads to high levels of success in their chosen steps, either in education or employment.

Pupils benefit from excellent leadership in the school. Several leaders support other schools in the trust.

The school is a regional hub of excellence for science and computer science. There is a relentless drive to improve what is already exceptional provision. Staff are proud to work in the school.

They appreciate how leaders consider their well-being and help manage their workload.

The local school board, trust executive and trustees work well together. They use their expertise to support the school.

They challenge leaders' thinking effectively and hold them to account. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school. A comment from a parent, which is reflective of many, read, 'The school is very inclusive and supportive.

The teaching staff are committed, and standards are high. My child is thriving not just academically but also in terms of his character development.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Also at this postcode