The Latimer Arts College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Students make good progress in a wide range of subjects. The proportion of students who have achieved five or more good GCSE grades at A* to C, including English and mathematics has been above average for the past three years. The sixth form is good.

Students make good progress in both Year 12 and Year 13. All groups of students make good progress, including disabled students and those who have special educational needs and those students who are eligible for support through the pupil premium. Teaching is good and sometimes it is outstanding.

In most subjects, teachers set challenging work that helps students improve their skill...s and understanding. The vast majority of students have good attitudes to learning. Their behaviour is good both in lessons and at break times.

They attend college regularly and are punctual. Students feel safe at the college and they have an excellent understanding of safety issues. Leaders and managers, including governors and progress leaders, have worked together diligently to ensure that both achievement and teaching have improved since the previous inspection in 2012.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough teaching is outstanding which means that students do not always make the rapid progress that they are capable of, particularly in Key Stage 3 and for some more-able students. Leaders do not keep a close enough check on students' achievement in Key Stage 3. A small minority of students are not always attentive in lessons, particularly when teaching is not as it good as it should be.

Information about this school

The college is larger than the average secondary school with a sixth form. The proportion of students who are from minority ethnic heritages is well below average, as is the proportion who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is average.

The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of students supported through the pupil premium, which is additional funding given to schools for certain groups such as students in local authority care, those known to be eligible for free school meals and those from service families, is below average. The college does not use any alternative provision.

The college collaborates with two other schools in the sixth form so that a wider range of subjects are available to students. It is also part of the Pilgrim Learning Trust, which is a group of schools who work closely with each other. The college has specially resourced provision for students with special educational needs.

It caters for up to seven students who have hearing impairments. The college has specialist status in performing arts. The college meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.