The Chase

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy school. They are happy and safe and make strong progress.

Pupils feel confident that staff will sort bullying out if it happens. Leaders set high expectations. Most pupils behave very well in lessons and around the school.

The small minority of pupils who struggle to stick to the rules receive effective support to help them understand how to make the right choices in the future.

Pupils are actively involved in many aspects of school life through school council committees such as the teaching and learning committee. Pupils are passionate about climate change.

The school has declared a climate emergency in response to pupils' opinions. Pup...ils' involvement in this issue extends beyond the school into the community.

Pupils understand how to keep themselves safe, including online.

They know they can talk to a member of staff if they need help. Parents appreciate the support that staff provide for pupils' mental health and well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One parent's comment reflected many others when they said, 'Many teachers give more than would be expected for the positive development of the children, inspiring them to become the best they can be as individuals.'



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

Pupils achieve very well at The Chase. Leaders have created ambitious curriculum plans that help pupils build their knowledge and skills incrementally. Teachers check pupils' learning and give feedback in class.

This helps to identify and close gaps in pupils' understanding. Teachers adapt curriculum plans well to make sure all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged, can access the learning. In the sixth form, staff know the students well.

They provide exceptional academic and pastoral support to ensure that all students become increasingly independent learners, across the full range of courses they study.

The number of pupils studying subjects that lead to the English Baccalaureate is increasing. For example, more pupils are choosing to study modern foreign languages at GCSE and A level, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND.

This reflects the school's commitment to equal opportunities for all.

Pupils with SEND make strong progress. Teachers adapt their teaching to address pupils' needs.

Support staff provide effective extra support when necessary. A specialist teacher works with local primary schools to identify pupils who might need additional help with reading. This ensures that these pupils receive the right support from the beginning of Year 7.

Disadvantaged pupils' achievement has improved since the last inspection. They get to know the school and staff before they start Year 7 through the summer holiday programme. This smooths the transition from primary to secondary school.

Pupils are confident and articulate. They stand up for what they believe in. The majority of pupils have a strong sense of fairness and positive attitudes to learning.

A small number of pupils need to be reminded to treat others with respect. Most staff step in quickly when this happens. Some do not, which pupils feel is unfair.

Pupils learn about equality and respect for different faiths through character education sessions. Pupils regularly discuss current affairs. This supports leaders' aim for pupils to develop the aspiration, respect, resilience and adaptability they need to succeed in life.

Some pupils do not have enough opportunities to engage with more diverse communities outside school. Leaders have plans to address this so that pupils are even better prepared for life in modern Britain.

Pupils enjoy the wide range of extra-curricular activities.

There is something for everyone, including exciting events in the library, dance productions and a wide range of unusual sports such as kayaking and scuba diving. Staff make sure that pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils participate in after-school clubs too. Students in the sixth form become mature, responsible citizens as a result of the well-planned opportunities beyond the curriculum.

Staff promote proactive links with local employers. For example, some students attend an after-school activity at a local cyber-security company.

Almost all pupils and sixth form students go onto their chosen next steps in employment, education or training.

Many pupils join the school's sixth form after Year 11. Staff make sure that pupils are aware of other options available post-16. Independent careers advice is a strength of the school.

Staff feel well supported. They say that leaders consider their workload and well-being. Governors understand their roles.

They probe the evidence behind leaders' decisions. Governors support leaders to do a good job, and challenge their decisions if things need to improve.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are trained well to spot any signs of vulnerability in pupils. All staff are vigilant. They report any concerns, including those about friendship groups.

Leaders follow up these concerns rigorously. They work closely with external experts when necessary so that pupils get the help they need. Leaders ensure that the required pre-employment checks are completed when new staff are appointed.

Leaders update policies and procedures regularly. For example, the relationships and sex education policy makes it clear that sexualised language will not be tolerated.

The safeguarding team works closely with pupils whose behaviour or language has upset or harmed others in the past.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A minority of staff do not implement the behaviour policy consistently. As a result, pupils are unsure of how adults respond to different behaviours, and so they can experience some disruption to learning. Leaders should ensure that all staff understand and consistently uphold the school's high expectations for pupils' behaviour.

• Pupils have limited opportunities to engage with diverse communities. As a result, some pupils' understanding of life in modern Britain is restricted to their immediate community. Leaders should ensure that pupils have more opportunities to experience the rich diversity of different cultures.