The Sacred Heart Language College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The Sacred Heart Language College places the needs of its students at the centre of its work as it strives for excellence and celebrates the success of all. It is a place that engenders a sense of wonder and enthusiasm for learning in a safe and secure environment where all are known, valued and respected. Results in GCSE examinations in English and mathematics have been significantly above average for the last three years and continued to improve in 2013.

Students make outstanding progress from their starting points in modern foreign languages and humanities subjects. Progress in the sciences is at least good and rapidly improvi...ng. Much of the teaching is outstanding and across the school it is consistently good.

An excellent knowledge of the students enables teachers to plan highly effective lessons that capture and inspire students to engage fully with their learning. Marking is extremely effective and in most lessons high quality feedback is provided to help guide students. Students want to succeed.

They are keen to put forward their own thoughts and their excellent attitudes to learning make a real contribution to the progress they make. Students behave extremely well and say they feel very safe because of the exceptional support the school gives them. This is a view that is strongly supported by both parents and staff.

Students are full of praise for their school. There is real sense of community where all feel valued, respected and morale is high. Governors, leaders and managers at all levels are never complacent.

They constantly and accurately review the effectiveness of the school's work. As a result of their continued effective drive to secure further improvement in the school, teaching and achievement have remained outstanding.

Information about this school

The Sacred Heart Language College is smaller than the average-sized secondary school.

It is a Catholic comprehensive school for girls aged 11 to 16. It accepts students from a wide geographical area. A little over half of the students are from White British, Irish, Other White or Mixed White backgrounds.

The proportion from minority ethnic groups is well above the national average, with significant numbers coming from Asian, Caribbean and African backgrounds. Significantly fewer than average students speak English as their first language. The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium is below average.

The pupil premium is additional funding given to the school for students who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after. There are no students from service families. A few students receive support from the Year 7 catch-up premium.

This is additional government funding for students who did not reach the expected Level 4 at the end of Key Stage 2. The proportion of disabled students or those who have special educational needs supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is larger than in other secondary schools. The numbers of students who are supported at school action is average.

No students are enrolled on alternative programmes. The school does not enter students early for their GCSE examinations. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.