St Matthias School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school? '

Everyone belongs here' is evident in all aspects of school life.

Staff insist that all pupils should be treated with respect and kindness. They are passionate about working with pupils and their families to ensure that pupils are ready to learn.

The school provides a calm and orderly environment.

Behaviour is good. Pupils appreciate how caring the school is. They enjoy coming to school and feel safe.

In lessons, there are clear routines and expectations that pupils understand and follow. Pupils have respect for each other, and this is evident through the way they take turns and listen to the views of others.

The curriculum has undergone sig...nificant change since the last inspection.

Pupils now can study a wider range of subjects, including design technology and separate sciences. It reflects high aspirations, including for those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils achieve well in many subjects.

The school provides many opportunities for pupils to enrich their social and cultural understanding. The annual culture day is enjoyed by staff and pupils and allows everyone in the school community to share aspects of their culture.

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

In many subjects, teachers have planned a curriculum that is challenging and meets the interests of learners.

Teachers explain new ideas clearly and carefully check how well pupils understand their work. Many ask probing questions to deepen pupils' understanding and make good use of new technologies to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge. The school has developed strategies to help pupils remember the important knowledge.

However, in a few subjects, teaching does not enable all pupils to learn and remember the planned curriculum well enough. As a result, there is some variation in pupils' achievement in different subjects.

The school takes care to identify pupils who have SEND.

Pupils with SEND, including those who attend the school's specially resourced provision are supported well. For example, pupils are provided with clear instructions, visual aids and thinking time when answering questions to help them achieve in line with their peers. Teaching assistants are used effectively to support pupils to become more independent in their learning.

The school carefully tracks pupils' reading skills and provides regular opportunities to read in class and during form time. The school promotes reading through activities like author visits and 'book swap day'. Pupils are rewarded for reading regularly and many pupils enjoy reading.

Weaker readers receive effective targeted support from trained staff and their progress is carefully monitored.

Attendance is improving and is in line with schools nationally. Any attendance concerns are followed up in a timely way.

External help is sought when necessary. Pupils behave well, in lessons and around the school. Relationships between pupils and staff are positive, courteous and respectful.

When inappropriate behaviour occurs, staff and pupils talk about what went wrong and how the situation could be avoided in the future.

Personal, social and health education has been carefully planned. Pupils have regular lessons where they talk about issues like bullying or drugs.

Pupils recognise that the school is helping them to become responsible and respectful citizens. Pupils have opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills. For example, as school ambassadors or fund-raising for the community.

They can also take part in a wide range of clubs and activities.

The school offers a well-structured careers programme. Pupils have opportunities to understand more about the world of work and most pupils feel ready for their next steps in life and education.

However, too many pupils do not stay in sustained education or training when they leave school. The school recognises further measures are needed to ensure that pupils have the information, skills and opportunities they need to make the right decisions about their future.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Currently, the curriculum and teaching in a few subjects is not as effective as is could be. As a result, pupils do not achieve well enough in a small number of subjects. The school needs to strengthen the curriculum in these subjects and ensure that it is implemented effectively in the way that leaders intend.

• Some pupils do not have the knowledge and skills they need to sustain their chosen education or training pathway. As a result, too few pupils currently move from the school into sustained education or training. Support pupils to be better prepared for life after school by ensuring they understand the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in their next stage of education, employment or training.