The Crypt School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils receive an exceptional quality of education and benefit from a rich offer to develop their talents and interests. They consistently live up to the school's high expectations for their academic achievement and broader development.

The school motto is, 'flourish Cryptians,' and pupils do.

Pupils are highly motivated, resilient and considerate of others. They cooperate exceptionally well and actively support each other's well-being.

Pupils and staff enjoy warm, courteous relationships. As a result, the school has a highly positive and respectful atmosphere.

Pupils, of all ages, make a significant contribution to the life of the school.

Y...ounger pupils are proud to hold positions, such as 'form captains' or 'sports captains.' Sixth -form students gather and represent pupils' views through 'pupil parliaments.' These opportunities, and many more, develop pupils as leaders and highly-active citizens.

Pupils make exceptionally good use of the extensive range of extra-curricular activities on offer. For example, pupils take part in engineering challenges, enjoy crochet, or learn sign language. They attend plays, lead debates, or compete in one of the many sporting activities on offer.

The school ensures that there are no barriers to prevent pupils from participating in these opportunities.

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

Pupils gain an exceptional depth of understanding in all the subjects they study. The curriculum at key stages 3 and 4 is broad and ambitious, building on pupils' high prior attainment.

In the sixth form, students follow a programme of study carefully tailored to their needs and ambitions. Pupils, of all ages, achieve demanding curriculum goals and learn how to be subject experts. For instance, they learn how scientists work and gain extensive scientific knowledge and understanding.

Teachers have high levels of subject knowledge. They understand what pupils need to know and when. For example, teaching in modern foreign languages ensures that pupils gain a strong foundation in grammar in Year 7.

Pupils build on these foundations over time, gaining an extensive knowledge of idiomatic expressions later. The school ensures that the curriculum makes a significant contribution to pupils' wider development, such as through residential visits, field work and hearing from visiting speakers.

Teaching ensures that pupils understand and use academic vocabulary precisely.

The school further develops pupils' knowledge of language through its literacy programme. Pupils, including sixth-form students, learn about the origins of words, for example. Across the curriculum, teaching checks pupils' understanding meticulously.

This prevents pupils from developing misconceptions. Assessment is used effectively to establish pupils' starting points, such as when students join the sixth form, and to check for gaps in pupils' learning. As a result, teaching is consistently well informed about the next steps in pupils' learning.

Disadvantaged pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve highly. The school accurately identifies pupils' needs and makes suitable adaptations. Consequently, pupils learn the curriculum confidently because their needs are met well.

Pupils behave impeccably. They arrive punctually and move around the school site sensibly. They maintain their highly positive attitudes to learning throughout the school day.

Pupils play an active role in fostering a tolerant and respectful environment, where commonalities and differences are celebrated.

Pupils receive high-quality pastoral care. They are comfortable sharing concerns about themselves or others with staff.

Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe when online and know about what makes a healthy relationship, for example. Pupils know how to take care of their mental and physical health. Students in the sixth form are well prepared to move into their adult lives.

The school's personal development curriculum is exceptionally well conceived and organised. For example, pupils work towards gaining the school's 'Edge' award. They select from a broad range of activities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, public speaking and take part in 'house' events.

Pupils learn how to serve others. For example, sixth-form students mentor younger pupils, including in local primary schools. Pupils, of all ages, raise money for charitable causes.

Pupils receive high-quality careers information, education advice and guidance. (CIEAG). The school engages with a wide range of education and training providers.

Experiences are therefore tailored to pupils' needs and interests. Pupils take part in meaningful work experience opportunities. The school evaluates its CIEAG programme, continually enhancing its offer.

Trustees, leaders and staff share an ambitious, inclusive vision for all pupils. Trustees provide intelligent support and challenge to leaders. This work ensures that the school is held to account for the quality of education it provides.

Leaders use professional development successfully to enhance the quality of teaching. Staff, including those newest to teaching, are well supported.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.