Whitmore High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Whitmore High School's philosophy is grounded firmly on the 'four pillars' that provide the basis for developing the whole child and which form 'The Whitmore Values'.

This philosophy is advocated by nearly all staff who work to ensure that pupils are valued and listened to, are treated as individuals, and receive consistently good teaching and extensive opportunities outside lessons. This is so that they can succeed in their learning and nurture their passions and talents. Leaders and staff foster a culture of encouragement and mutual respect where promoting positive relationships is at the heart of all of their work.

This culture is tangible in the school and is shaping the positive social development of pupils. This is b...ecause many pupils take advantage of the valuable learning experiences and opportunities for personal development presented to them and grow to be confident and informed young people. The school's inclusive and supportive ethos has a positive impact on the achievement of different groups of pupils.

Those who need additional support benefit significantly from the integrated care, learning and well-being provision at the school such as the support hubs, the 'Successful Outcomes Centre' and the specialist resource base for pupils with an autistic spectrum condition. An extensive range of activities and extra-curricular clubs provide valuable opportunities for pupils of all ages and abilities to thrive, develop socially and learn new things. An exemplary feature of the school's work is the provision for more able and talented pupils through the 'Aspire' programme.

Overall, pupils value the plethora of after-school opportunities that the staff offer and the impact these have on their well-being. Opportunities include mastering baking skills in the school bakery, working alongside the school's two therapy dogs, Daisy and Pilot, playing chess and being part of inclusive sports teams. As a result of these opportunities, many pupils are developing into resilient, independent and ambitious learners.

Overall, as a result of outstanding provision within the majority of subjects, many pupils make rapid and secure progress. A notable feature is pupils' strong oracy skills. Most pupils are confident, assured speakers who communicate with clarity and conviction.

Most teachers use a consistent, research-driven 'direct instruction' teaching approach. This consistency is having a beneficial impact on pupil progress and classroom culture. Nearly all teachers know their pupils well and adapt their teaching to suit the context of each class.

The school provides a wide-ranging curriculum that builds effectively on pupils' prior learning. This is a strong feature considering the short life of the new school. However, there are a few areas where strategic planning is at an early stage of development.

These include the planning for developing pupils' numeracy skills across the curriculum and opportunities for personal and social education (PSE) across the school. Opportunities to develop pupils' Welsh language skills outside the classroom and to celebrate the culture and heritage of Wales are limited. The headteacher is an inspirational and motivational leader who, from the outset and despite the challenges of the pandemic, has galvanised the staff and created a strong sense of team.

With the support of highly motivated leaders and executive headteacher, he has established a clear philosophy to ensure that Whitmore High School is a place where staff and pupils work together effectively, enjoy their learning and reach their full potential. The school is particularly reflective and ambitious and has high expectations for all aspects of its work. There is a vibrant culture of professional learning and improvement and a strong emphasis on ensuring the highest possible quality of teaching and learning.

This is a notable feature of the school. Recommendations R1 Improve the opportunities for pupils to develop their Welsh language skills outside of their Welsh lessons and to learn about and celebrate the culture and heritage of Wales R2 Strengthen the strategic planning for personal and social education and the development of pupils' numeracy skills across the curriculum What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection. Estyn will invite the school to prepare case studies on its work in relation to its strong and effective practice for dissemination on Estyn's website.