UTC Derby Pride Park

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This school transforms pupils' attitudes towards their education.

Parents and carers praise the school for this. This school gives pupils a unique opportunity to really engage with learning as it provides specialist teaching which supports their future aspirations. All pupils receive a well-rounded education that enables them to take their next steps into education, employment or training.

The school instils the highest expectations in pupils. Teachers remind pupils of the school's three values when they get things wrong. The school develops students and pupils to be respectful, resilient and to have high aspirations.

Pupils behave impeccably well. They shake... your hand, greet visitors with a smile and can hold a mature conversation. They all contribute to the wider life of the school by the standards they uphold and the support they provide to pupils who are younger than them.

As one pupil put it, 'We are all one at this school.'

There is a range of activities that allow pupils to develop talents and interests. For example, many pupils have recently been prototyping satellites for the 'Cansat' competition.

Pupils value the opportunities to develop links with industry. This strongly supports them in achieving their future aspirations.

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

The school provides a highly specialist curriculum to all pupils, including to pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The curriculum is broad and pupils study a core academic curriculum. This enables pupils to have the knowledge, skills and qualifications for future success in education, employment or training in any field. More and more parents are choosing to send pupils to this school.

As the school grows, more qualifications are being introduced.

The curriculum goes beyond exam specifications. Employers take a lead role in ensuring that the curriculums in the specialist areas, such as health science and engineering, are informed by what is happening in industry.

Pupils learn about cutting-edge technology and new materials, such as graphene.

Subject experts identify the core knowledge and skills in each subject. Curriculum sequencing ensures that pupils build on what they know.

The curriculum considers pupils' starting points and experiences. This progressive approach benefits all pupils, including those with SEND.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge.

The environment and resources are of high quality and allow pupils to learn well. Pupils show highly positive attitudes towards education. Teachers deliver the school's core academic curriculum using highly effective teaching methods.

Teachers know how to impart knowledge and check that pupils remember it. This is not yet consistently the case across all subjects. There are instances when some teachers do not teach the core knowledge explicitly enough.

Recall sessions check for gaps in pupils' understanding. When teachers identify any gaps, they adapt the curriculum to ensure that pupils are not left with any gaps in their understanding. This helps pupils to achieve well over time.

The school is ambitious for pupils with SEND. Their needs are clearly identified. The school provides effective strategies to support these pupils.

Teachers use these strategies well to help pupils with SEND achieve.

Students in the sixth form highly value the expert knowledge of the staff that teach them. They gain a detailed knowledge across the curriculum.

Students are proud to volunteer as subject experts that help pupils in the lower years apply what they know in extra-curricular projects. Students are quick to recognise that this school gives them the interpersonal skills to exploit employer engagement opportunities. Many students leave the sixth form having acquired a place on degree-level apprenticeships.

Alumni return to the school to support existing pupils.

Encouraging pupils to read widely and often is a priority here. The curriculum has dedicated time when each class reads a specifically chosen book.

The school assesses pupils' reading ability as soon as they join the school. Effective and swift intervention ensures that weaker readers are well supported to get better quickly.

Pupils are respectful and celebrate the backgrounds of pupils that are different to them.

Pupils have a strong understanding of British values and equalities legislation. They know these are fundamental in both society and a workplace. Many pupils are highly competitive and enjoy the sports clubs on offer and undertaking national competitions, such as the Royal Navy engineering challenge.

The school enrols all pupils in Year 9 on to the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Careers education is of the highest quality.

Leaders have transformed this school.

Trustees and governors hold leaders to account for making the school the best it can be. They understand and fulfil their statutory responsibilities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• On occasions, in a few subjects, teachers do not teach explicitly enough the most important knowledge that is set out in curriculum plans. Some pupils do not remember this knowledge well enough. The school must ensure that all teachers are fully trained to use the pedagogical approach that the school has prioritised, consistently well.