Westcliff High School for Boys Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

There are high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Pupils consistently rise to meet these and achieve exceptionally well. They produce high-quality work across the curriculum.

Pupils are proud of the school and feel privileged to attend here.

Pupils demonstrate high standards of conduct and extremely positive learning attitudes in lessons. They work together to support each other across a range of situations.

These high standards of behaviour prevail outside of the classroom and across other activities. Pupils recognise that the school helps them to develop their character. They describe this as 'being the best versions of themselves'.

This hap...pens through assemblies, tutorials and personal, social, health and economic education lessons.

Service to others is incredibly important to pupils. This is reflected in the extensive range of leadership roles available to pupils.

They take leading roles in organising and running charity events. A significant number of pupils are part of the school's combined cadet force. Pupils are proud of this part of the school and the chance it gives them to develop wider attributes.

This, and other opportunities, helps pupils become effective leaders and communicators.

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

The school has designed a highly ambitious and well-thought-out curriculum. It is academically rigorous and goes far beyond the requirements of the national curriculum and examination courses.

All pupils learn rich and important knowledge that prepares them well for their next steps. Many go on to study at university.

Teachers are experts in their subject.

The school's well-planned programme of staff development contributes to this expertise. As a result, the curriculum is taught exceptionally well. Teachers plan and teach challenging, yet well-pitched, lessons.

They ask well-selected questions to help pupils connect what they are learning to what they already know. Pupils are regularly encouraged to debate and discuss their ideas. They do this respectfully and consider the views of others.

Teachers use assessment effectively to ensure that pupils can use their knowledge reliably.

The school encourages pupils to take responsibility for their own learning. For instance, many attend lunchtime sessions to receive help with their homework or to improve pieces of practical work.

Under the guidance of their teachers, they develop the habits they need to help with future study.

Pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well. The school has effective processes for identifying the needs of pupils with SEND.

Teachers receive the information and training they need to ensure that pupils with SEND receive high-quality teaching.

The school wants pupils to become lifelong readers. This starts from the moment pupils join the school.

They have regular opportunities to read challenging texts across the curriculum and during tutorial periods. The school gives pupils time to reflect on their reading and to discuss key themes from the books they read. This contributes to a strongly shared love of reading.

The school has incredibly high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Sitting at the heart of these expectations is the school's 'learner profile'. This outlines the attributes that pupils will need to develop their mind, character and individuality.

It is well integrated in all aspects of the school's work. As a result, pupils consistently demonstrate positive attitudes and dispositions to their studies and to each other.

There is a wide and enriching co-curriculum programme, including a range of teams, clubs and societies.

These build on pupils' interests or help to broaden their horizons. This includes the chance to learn about astronomy, practise Latin or to debate current affairs. Pupils value these extensive opportunities and high numbers take part in this exceptional offer.

Many of these activities have been initiated and are led by pupils.

The information that pupils receive about careers is comprehensive and of high quality. Pupils have many meaningful opportunities to experience the world of work in each year group.

This includes work experience, work shadowing and visits by local employers.

The sixth form typifies the strengths seen elsewhere. The sixth form is integral to the main school.

Students in the upper school help pupils in younger years with their studies and to support their well-being, for example through tutoring and peer mentoring. This creates a strong sense of community.

Leadership across the school is inspirational.

Leaders are proud of the school's history but continually look for ways to improve it. This helps everyone realise highly ambitious goals. Trustees and governors bring a broad range of experience.

They provide effective support and challenge to the school. Everyone is committed to achieving the very best for pupils.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.