Ludlow Church of England SchoolOfsted inspection, 23 Feb 2012

Age group 11-16 Inspection date(s) 22–23 February 2012 Inspection number 380695 Ludlow Church of England School Specialist Technology and Sports College Inspection report

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Unique reference number 123587 Local authority Shropshire Inspection number 380695 Inspection dates 22–23 February 2012 Lead inspector Mark Sims HMI

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Type of school Comprehensive School category Voluntary controlled Age range of pupils 11–16 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 837 Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Annabel Gilmour Headteacher Philip Poulton Date of previous school inspection 16 March 2009 School address Bromfield Road Burway Ludlow SY8 1GJ Telephone number 01584 872691 Fax number 01584 877708 Email address admin.ludlow@shropshire.sch.uk Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 2 of 12

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achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please

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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when.

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You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.ofsted.gov.uk Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 3 of 12

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out with two days' notice. Inspectors observed 39 teachers teaching 39 lessons, of which four were joint observations with members of the senior leadership team. Observations accounted for approximately 20 hours of inspection time in total. Meetings were held with a group of pupils, members of the governing body and school staff, including senior and middle managers and a senior adviser from the local authority. Inspectors took account of the responses to the on- line questionnaire (Parent View) in planning the inspection, observed the school’s work and looked at a number of documents, including the recently revised self- evaluation form, the school development plan, the safeguarding and equality policies, and minutes of governing body meetings. Also, they analysed 159 parental and carers’ questionnaires and others completed by pupils and staff.

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Information about the school

Ludlow is smaller than the average secondary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is broadly average and there is a rising trend. Almost all pupils are from White British backgrounds and there are very few pupils who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is broadly average including those with a statement of special educational needs. The proportion of pupils entering or leaving the school other than at the usual times is below the national average for secondary schools. The school meets current government floor standards. It has Healthy Schools accreditation and has been awarded Eco-school status and the Artsmark. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 4 of 12

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Key findings

 This is a satisfactory school because achievement is in line with that expected nationally. Standards at GCSE, based on the proportion of pupils who gain five good grades including English and mathematics, are broadly average. Pupils have not made sufficient progress in science and humanities as a result of previously identified inadequate teaching and behaviour in these subjects.

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Key findings

 Teaching is satisfactory although much is good or better and none seen during the inspection was inadequate. In good lessons, pupils learn well, inspired by teachers’ flair and creativity. Higher attaining pupils are stretched but not all teachers plan for the needs of lower attaining pupils. Teachers’ use of assessment, including marking, is inconsistent. It is used well in English to inform pupils of their progress and next steps but in some other subjects it is less informative.

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Key findings

 Behaviour and safety are satisfactory. Most pupils, parents and carers are positive, particularly the extent to which they say their children feel safe. Attendance is above average and rising. There are very few exclusions. During the inspection, almost all pupils behaved well. Pupils get on well together and have good relationships with the adults who work with them. However, questionnaires completed by parents and carers, pupils and staff, and discussions with pupils, indicated that this is not always the case. A minority of parents and carers said lessons were sometimes disrupted by pupils, especially in science, and less than half of the staff who responded said pupils’ behaviour was managed well.

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Key findings

 Leadership and management are satisfactory. Senior leaders know the strengths and weaknesses of the school well. Improvements by senior leaders in monitoring and tracking performance have been significant, albeit recent. The quality of leadership of middle leaders is improving but remains inconsistent. The school is rich in the data senior leaders collect on pupils’ progress but the extent varies to which this is used effectively by other leaders and teachers to bring about improvements. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 5 of 12

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Key findings

Schools whose overall effectiveness is judged satisfactory may receive a monitoring visit by an Ofsted inspector before their next section 5 inspection.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Raise achievement and improve the quality of teaching, particularly in science, humanities and vocational courses by ensuring that teachers:  are consistent in the use of behaviour management and provide stimulating and engaging activities to ensure that no lesson is disrupted  use data on pupils’ prior attainment to ensure they are monitoring the progress of individuals and groups  plan to meet the needs of all groups of pupils in their lessons, particularly those who are lower attaining, and that the next steps in learning are appropriate to pupils’ current level of attainment  inform pupils regularly, including through marking, how well they are doing and how they could improve their work to achieve their targets.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Improve the quality of leadership and management in the school by ensuring that:  all middle leaders take greater responsibility for the use of data to track and monitor performance in their subject areas  teachers consistently plan for the different needs in their classes, particularly of lower attaining pupils  good practice in assessment is shared more widely with other departments to achieve greater consistency.

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Achievement of pupils

Since the last inspection, the proportion of pupils gaining at least five A* to C grades at GCSE including English and mathematics has continued to rise at the same rate as the national figure and it is broadly average. This represents satisfactory progress as pupils join the school at the start of Year 7 having attained levels in English (including reading) and mathematics that are in line with national averages. There is, however, a widening gap with the national average when attainment is measured against five or more A* to C grades in any GCSE subject including vocational courses where results dipped in the most recent examinations. Standards are low in science and humanities and in the small number of vocational subjects offered, linked to the previous inadequate teaching identified by the school.

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Achievement of pupils

Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs have made rapid progress in English to close the gap with their peers nationally, but this is not consistent across all subjects and overall their progress is satisfactory. Lower attaining pupils in previous years have not made as much progress as higher attaining pupils. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 6 of 12

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Achievement of pupils

Pupils made at least satisfactory progress in all lessons seen, including in previously identified under-performing subjects where the teaching has now improved. They are doing particularly well in their learning in English and mathematics where they know how well they are doing and are given clear guidance on next steps in their learning. Learning is most effective in those lessons where pupils have the opportunity to work in groups or take responsibility for their own research. Speaking skills have been well developed in mathematics where pupils are challenged to justify their answers and evaluate their own or others’ responses. In history, pupils’ literacy skills have been developed well through close partnerships with English.

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Achievement of pupils

Learning was less effective in lessons where teachers spent too much time talking from the front or took too long on one activity. Not all pupils took part in whole-class discussions where questions were answered by volunteers only. Higher attaining pupils learnt well when set challenging and stimulating tasks, but pupils made less progress where work was not sufficiently pitched at the right level. This was particularly the case for lower attaining pupils where, at times, their work was either too easy or too hard. A very large majority of parents and carers said their children were making good progress in school.

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Quality of teaching

At its best, teaching provides pupils with lessons that are engaging and memorable. Teachers show flair and draw on their good subject knowledge to excite and stimulate pupils. The large majority of pupils respond well to teaching. They work hard and do their best to succeed. Relationships between adults and pupils are good. In the most effective lessons, pupils with additional learning needs are well supported to be fully integrated and achieve well. The best teacher questioning targets a mix of volunteers and non-volunteers and the level of challenge of the questions enable lower and higher attaining pupils to participate. In group work, all pupils have the opportunity to take part in discussions and support each other in their work. Pupils show a positive attitude to their learning even in those lessons where the pace dips or the activity is less interesting. Opportunities for pupils’ social and moral development are offered through tutor time as well as in lessons when

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Quality of teaching

pupils are able to work in groups to discuss relevant issues. Most parents and carers said that their children were taught well and a large majority of pupils agreed. Inspectors found that while teaching in nearly half of the lessons was good, in the majority of lessons it was satisfactory.

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Quality of teaching

Marking varies from high quality in English, where pupils know exactly how well they are doing and how they could improve, to some other subjects where it is limited to brief praise comments and where pupils are not sure how they can achieve the next level. Higher attaining pupils are usually given challenging work to enable many of them to attain the highest possible level or grade in their subjects. Elsewhere, there is insufficient recognition of pupils’ different starting points when teachers plan lessons and activities, particularly for lower attaining pupils. In some lessons, intended learning outcomes are limited to tasks to be completed. At times, teaching assistants and other adults are not effectively deployed to support pupils and their role is not clearly enough defined. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 7 of 12

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Quality of teaching

The school is drawing on strengths within English to improve the teaching of literacy across the curriculum. The curriculum is based mainly on academic courses which meet the needs of the large majority of pupils, but there is a small range of vocational courses available.

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Behaviour and safety of pupils

During the inspection, behaviour seen around the school and in the majority of lessons was good. Pupils are helpful and considerate towards one another, and show an appreciation of others’ differences. They collaborate well together during group work in lessons and the vertical tutor system (pupils of different ages in the same tutor group) enables older pupils to help and support younger ones, which they much appreciate. Older pupils enjoy taking on additional responsibilities. Pupils take advantage of the work scrutiny meetings with senior leaders when they are able to talk about any concerns they have.

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Behaviour and safety of pupils

A large majority of parents, carers and pupils said behaviour in school was good, but over a third of parents and carers who responded to the questionnaire said their children’s lessons had been disrupted by bad behaviour. Less than half of the 53 staff who responded to their survey agreed that the behaviour of pupils is consistently well managed. Inspectors investigated these concerns and found that, while no disruptive behaviour was seen during the inspection, the school recognised that in some lessons this has been an issue. This was linked to previous inadequate teaching and effective action is now being taken to address this.

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Behaviour and safety of pupils

A very large majority of parents and carers said their children feel safe in school and the large majority of pupils agreed with this. The school ensures it keeps pupils safe through the rigorous safeguarding arrangements which are in place and continuously reviewed. Pupils themselves show a good awareness of keeping themselves safe, for example through their knowledge of e-safety and how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Different kinds of bullying, including very occasional racist and homophobic incidents, are dealt with well by the school and the electronic tracking system enables the school to monitor incidents closely and take effective action. Pupils are confident in reporting incidents if they occur. Pupils enjoy coming to school and this is reflected in the rising attendance which is above average. The rate of persistent absences has fallen and exclusion rates are very low.

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Leadership and management

The headteacher, supported well by senior leaders, has an accurate view of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and this is reflected in the school’s self-evaluation and development plan. Senior leaders have high expectations and have consequently introduced more rigorous procedures for tracking teaching and the performance and progress of pupils. Teaching has improved in a number of key subjects, including English and mathematics, due to the successful interventions introduced, although some weaknesses in teaching remain in other subjects. Governors, too, have a clear view of the school and, as they remain fully supportive of the school’s leaders, they are developing their role to challenge and hold them to account. Consequently, the school has a satisfactory capacity to improve. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 8 of 12

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Leadership and management

The school’s promotion of equality of opportunity is satisfactory. Senior leaders’ development of sophisticated data gives the school the ability to track the progress of individuals and groups, and to monitor trends. The extent varies to which this is used by all staff to track groups. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs receive effective support through the pupil support centre, although there is some inconsistency in the quality of the support and provision in mainstream lessons. There remain inconsistencies in the quality of middle leadership, but the quality is improving through the weekly developmental meetings attended by mddle and senior leaders. Middle leaders are less secure in the use of data to track the progress of groups of pupils or to hold individual teachers to account for the performance of pupils they teach.

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Leadership and management

The curriculum is weighted more towards academic subjects, which meets the needs of most pupils and the demands of the local community. Outcomes in the few vocational courses have not been high; nevertheless, the school recognises the need to reflect on whether more vocational opportunities should be offered. Despite the largely monocultural make-up of the school, pupils demonstrate a good appreciation and understanding of the wider world.

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Leadership and management

The school meets all its statutory requirements for safeguarding; it ensures that staff are well trained and that procedures are kept fully up to date. Partnerships with local schools and other agencies are well established. With the exception of the questions about disruption in lessons, a very large majority of parents and carers who responded to the questionnaire were positive about all other aspects of the school and most said they would recommend it to another parent. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 9 of 12

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding These features are highly effective. An outstanding school provides exceptionally well for all its pupils’ needs. Grade 2 Good These are very positive features of a school. A school that is good is serving its pupils well. Grade 3 Satisfactory These features are of reasonable quality. A satisfactory school is providing adequately for its pupils. Grade 4 Inadequate These features are not of an acceptable standard. An inadequate school needs to make significant improvement in order to meet the needs of its pupils. Ofsted inspectors will make further visits until it improves.

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Type of school Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate

Nursery schools 46 46 8 0 Primary schools 8 47 40 5 Secondary schools 14 38 40 8 Special schools 28 48 20 4 Pupil referral units 15 50 29 5 All schools 11 46 38 6

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Type of school Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate

New school inspection arrangements have been introduced from 1 January 2012. This means that inspectors make judgements that were not made previously. The data in the table above are for the period 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011 and represent judgements that were made under the school inspection arrangements that were introduced on 1 September 2009. These data are consistent with the latest published official statistics about maintained school inspection outcomes (see www.ofsted.gov.uk ). The sample of schools inspected during 2010/11 was not representative of all schools nationally, as weaker schools are inspected more frequently than good or outstanding schools. Primary schools include primary academy converters. Secondary schools include secondary academy converters, sponsor-led academies and city technology colleges. Special schools include special academy converters and non-maintained special schools.

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Type of school Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate

Percentages are rounded and do not always add exactly to 100. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 10 of 12

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Achievement: the progress and success of a pupil in their learning and development taking account of their attainment.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Attainment: the standard of the pupils’ work shown by test and examination results and in lessons.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Attendance the regular attendance of pupils at school and in lessons, taking into account the school’s efforts to encourage good attendance.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Behaviour how well pupils behave in lessons, with emphasis on their attitude to learning. Pupils’ punctuality to lessons and their conduct around the school.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Capacity to improve: the proven ability of the school to continue improving based on its self-evaluation and what the school has accomplished so far and on the quality of its systems to maintain improvement.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Leadership and management: the contribution of all the staff with responsibilities, not just the governors and headteacher, to identifying priorities, directing and motivating staff and running the school.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Learning: how well pupils acquire knowledge, develop their understanding, learn and practise skills and are developing their competence as learners.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Overall effectiveness: inspectors form a judgement on a school’s overall effectiveness based on the findings from their inspection of the school.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Progress: the rate at which pupils are learning in lessons and over longer periods of time. It is often measured by comparing the pupils’ attainment at the end of a key stage with their attainment when they started.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Safety how safe pupils are in school, including in lessons; and their understanding of risks. Pupils’ freedom from bullying and harassment. How well the school promotes safety, for example e-learning. Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 11 of 12

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carers to share with their children. It describes Ofsted’s

main findings from the inspection of their school.

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Sports College, Ludlow, SY8 1GJ

You know that we came recently to inspect your school and I thought you would be interested in what we said in our report. I am grateful to all of you who told us your view either in discussions or through the questionnaires which we read very carefully. This is a satisfactory school. We agree with you, your parents and carers that the extent to which you feel safe in school is good and that your attendance is above average and rising, and that very few of you are ever excluded from school.

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Sports College, Ludlow, SY8 1GJ

The proportion of you who gain five or more good passes at GCSE, including English and mathematics, is about in line with the national average. This represents satisfactory progress from your starting points. There have been improvements in teaching, particularly in English and mathematics. All the lessons we saw were at least satisfactory and many were good.

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Sports College, Ludlow, SY8 1GJ

The behaviour we saw in lessons and around school was mostly good. But we know from what you told us that there has been some previous disruption in lessons. Your leaders are clear about what is good in the school and what needs improving. These are the things we have asked the school to do to help it improve further. The school’s leaders must make sure that:  you do as well as you can in all your subjects, particularly science, humanities and vocational courses  your teachers consistently plan work that is suitable for all of you, especially those of you who find learning difficult, and that they let you know how well you are doing and how you could improve  more of your leaders use information on your progress to check you are all doing as well as you can.

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Sports College, Ludlow, SY8 1GJ

Your feedback keeps leaders informed of what needs improving and I hope you will continue to let them know your views. I wish you every success in your future.

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Sports College, Ludlow, SY8 1GJ

Mark Sims Her Majesty's Inspector Inspection report: Ludlow Church of England School Specialst Technology and Sports College, 22–23 February 12 of 12

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Sports College, Ludlow, SY8 1GJ

procedures set out in the guidance 'Complaining about inspections', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 , or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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