The Sacred Heart Language College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school has an ethos of service to others and a community spirit.

There is a wealth of opportunity for pupils to undertake leadership roles, develop their talents and interests and broaden their horizons. Pupils plan and deliver assemblies on topics such as neurodiversity and anti-bullying week. They support their peers through mentoring and freshers' fairs for enrichment activities.

Many take part in charity and community events.

Pupils respond well to the school's challenge of pursuing excellence in all they do. They develop strong subject knowledge, which results in high outcomes in public examinations.

The school provides an ambitious curricul...um for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These pupils' needs are identified swiftly, and the school provides effective support so that they achieve well alongside their peers.

The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour.

In class, pupils are highly motivated and enjoy their learning. Pupils are largely polite and courteous around the school site. However, at times, a few pupils' conduct falls short of the high expectations of the school.

Most pupils show kindness and respect for one another. They are encouraged to have high aspirations and are consistently prepared for their next steps. Pupils feel safe and attend school well.

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

The school provides pupils with a broad and highly ambitious curriculum enriched by subjects such as classical civilisation and health studies. Teachers ensure that pupils learn and retain important knowledge across the range of subjects. Teachers have strong subject knowledge which they deliver clearly and with enthusiasm.

The school has identified the knowledge that pupils will learn thoughtfully. This is taught in a logical order to build understanding. Ideas and new concepts are often revisited to ensure they are remembered.

The school provides plenty of opportunities for pupils to practise and apply their knowledge. For example, in drama lessons, pupils craft their own scripts following guidance that builds their understanding of character and the effect they want to have on the audience. Similarly, in mathematics, pupils routinely apply their technical knowledge with regular practice and rehearsal of different mathematical methods to solve problems.

Teachers frequently check pupils' understanding and address gaps to develop pupils' skills and knowledge. They encourage pupils to reflect on their work and learn from their errors. Pupils typically produce work of a high quality, which they have great pride in.

This includes pupils with SEND as they are well supported.

The school has established a strong culture of reading. Reading is celebrated in assemblies and is the bedrock of the curriculum.

Staff choose books with care to promote engagement and broaden understanding. For example, the English curriculum was recently revised to mirror the interests of pupils with some ambitious choices, including 'The Crucible' in Year 9. Pupils who need additional support with their reading are quickly identified.

They receive appropriate help so they become fluent readers.

Pupils focus on their learning in class and want to do well. The school is calm and orderly, and most pupils are responsible and well mannered.

However, during social times, some pupils do not demonstrate the self-control or maturity of which they are capable. Occasionally, some pupils do not demonstrate a sense of urgency to get to lessons on time. However, pupils do value the education they receive and want to achieve highly in examinations.

The school provides a well-developed personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, which is delivered through a carefully considered pastoral curriculum. Pupils develop into critical thinkers and consider wider issues such as equality of opportunity. There are numerous opportunities for pupils to take an active role in school life.

Pupils take their leadership roles seriously. Many pupils take up a range of clubs, including historical film club, orchestra, trampolining, and philosophy club. Pupils are aptly supported for their next steps in either education or employment.

They receive a comprehensive careers programme and guidance. The school ensures that pupils are ready for life in modern Britain and know how to stay safe, including online.

Governors and trustees fulfil their statutory duties effectively.

Staff receive high-quality professional development and are highly positive about the school's collegiate culture. Leaders at all levels are reflective and committed to driving a culture of ambition in the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some pupils' conduct around the school is not as high as their behaviour in class. As a result, these pupils do not consistently meet the school's high expectations and do not present the positive attitudes and self-control of which they are capable. The school should ensure that pupils routinely apply the strong values they have learned so that they conduct themselves well throughout the school day.