Upton Hall School FCJ

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Upton Hall School FCJ is a school where pupils are inspired to succeed in all that they do.

Leaders and staff have created an environment where pupils and students thrive.

Leaders have the highest expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils, and students in the sixth form, benefit from a broad, rich and ambitious curriculum that prepares them exceptionally well for the next stage of their education.

Pupils and students feel safe and happy at school because staff nurture their aspirations and self-belief. Leaders have taken care to prioritise pupils' wider development alongside support for them... to achieve academic excellence.

Pupils behave in an exemplary manner.

They live up to leaders' high expectations of how to conduct themselves and try their best. They show a kindness and gentleness, embodied by the school's values, to their peers and their teachers. Pupils and students are confident that, if bullying does happen, staff are swift to act, dealing with these incidents effectively.

Pupils take part in many extra-curricular and enrichment activities. Many of these opportunities are carefully linked to the curriculum. This complements pupils' and students' learning of the subjects that they study.

For example, when Year 12 students learn about production processes in business studies, they make and market their own apple juice using apples from the school orchard.

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

Leaders are unapologetically ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND. All pupils study the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects and many study three modern foreign languages at key stage 3.

Leaders have designed a vibrant and varied curriculum. This ensures that pupils, including students in the sixth form, learn well beyond the expectations of the national curriculum and examination specifications. They achieve very highly.

The curriculum is meticulously planned by leaders. They have thought deeply about what pupils and students need to know, ordering this learning logically so that pupils and students develop a rich body of subject knowledge.

Teachers are experts in their subjects.

They draw on innovative research to hone their skills further, delivering learning that enables pupils to know and remember more. Teachers skilfully check pupils' understanding and spot opportunities to extend their knowledge through questioning and meaningful debate. Teachers ensure that pupils know and understand subject-specific vocabulary.

This is especially true for disadvantaged pupils, who are at the forefront of teachers' minds.Through teachers' effective use of assessment strategies, pupils and students become independent learners who make exemplary progress during their time at school.

Pupils, including students in the sixth form, have a real love of literature and they read avidly for pleasure.

Pupils benefit extensively from a vast offer of reading activities, including 'book tastings' and staff-read audiobooks. Teachers of all subjects create a climate for reading, encouraging pupils to read extensively beyond the curriculum.

Pupils with SEND receive support that is matched precisely to their individual needs.

Teachers know pupils well. Staff identify the needs of pupils with SEND at the earliest opportunity. Leaders check regularly that the needs of this group of pupils are being met.

Pupils with SEND access an equally challenging curriculum as their peers and are fully involved in all aspects of school life. They achieve very well.

Pupils behave in a mature and courteous manner.

They know that teachers believe in them and they show a real appetite for learning. Low-level disruption is extremely rare. This allows pupils to focus closely on their work.

Students in the sixth form are self-motivated and strive to succeed. Well-established routines mean that no learning time is lost. Parents and carers who responded to Ofsted's survey agreed unanimously that the school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

Teachers cultivate pupils' learning with rich experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Leaders have thoughtfully designed a personal development programme that prepares all pupils and students for life in modern Britain. Leaders have ensured that all pupils learn about diversity, equality and respecting difference.

Through a range of events, such as culture week and feast day, pupils develop their cultural awareness so that they can take their place as responsible citizens in a modern society.

Leaders have organised an exceptional careers programme that wholly prepares pupils and students for their next steps. From Years 7 to 13, pupils and students receive high-quality careers advice.

Pupils know about the courses and jobs that they can secure after school. They are ambitious in their next steps because staff, external speakers and visits have inspired them to achieve their goals. Many students in the sixth form secure places on competitive university courses.

Teachers feel valued. They appreciate the open and transparent relationship that they have with senior leaders. Teachers told inspectors that they feel privileged to work at the school.

Leaders take active steps to minimise workload and look after the well-being of staff.

Trustees, together with the governing body, have robust mechanisms in place to hold school leaders to account. Those responsible for governance have a comprehensive understanding of leaders' priorities and a clear oversight of all aspects of school life.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff at all levels are alert to the safeguarding risks that pupils may face. Leaders ensure that all staff receive regular safeguarding training.

Staff know pupils well and take swift action when concerns arise.

Leaders are adept at working with a wide range of external agencies. They are persistent in ensuring the right support is in place for vulnerable pupils and their families.

Support for pupils' well-being remains a priority at the school.

Pupils learn about how to keep themselves safe, including online. Without exception, pupils said that they have a trusted person in school who they can go to if they are feeling worried or upset.