Trinity Church of England School, Belvedere

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This school has improved rapidly and significantly since its previous inspection. All areas for improvement detailed in the previous inspection report have been addressed.

The headteacher and Trust Principal share with senior leaders and governors a determination that high-quality teaching will enable all pupils to achieve their very best. The school cares keenly for its pupils. Relationships between staff and pupils are excellent.

The individual attention given to pupils helps them to thrive and leaves them well prepared for the next phase of their education. Behaviour is outstanding. This is reflected in pupils' excellent conduct around... the site, the respect they show their teachers and the courteous manner in which they greet visitors to the school.

Attendance is very high. Pupils enjoy coming to school. Achievement is good as a result of improved teaching.

Almost all groups of pupils are now making better progress. Disadvantaged pupils, disabled pupils or those with special educational needs progress equally well if not better than their peers. Teachers plan interesting and enjoyable lessons.

Their subject knowledge is good and this contributes to strong engagement by pupils. The school has a deep Christian ethos and its values for worship and learning permeate lessons. The provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : There are still a few inconsistencies in teaching so not all pupils are challenged enough in the classroom to do their best; in particular the most-able pupils. Sometimes teachers do not check pupils' learning frequently enough to judge when they are ready to move on to more complex work. Some work experience programmes in the sixth form are not as effective as they could be to enhance learning.

Information about this school

Trinity School, Belvedere converted to an academy school in April 2011. It is an average-sized secondary school. There has been a restructuring of the leadership team since the previous inspection and a number of leaders are new in post.

Approximately half of the pupils are White British. A third of pupils are from a Black African heritage. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for support through the pupil premium funding is in line with the national average.

This is additional government funding to support pupils who are eligible for free school meals, those who are in the care of the local authority or pupils from service families. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is above the national average. The school is the lead sponsor in Trinitas, a multi-academy trust.

The trust incorporates two local Church of England primary schools with the Rochester Diocesan Board of Education as co-sponsor. The Trinitas Academy Trust was fully functional from August 2013. A small number of pupils in Years 10 and 11 attend 'Construct', which is an alternative, off-site education provision.

The school has several links with local schools. The sixth form is part of a collaboration with two other secondary schools. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.