The Radcliffe School

Inspection of The Radcliffe School Aylesbury Street West, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK12 5BT

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Sixth-form provision Good Previous inspection grade Requires improvement 28–29 January 2020

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What is it like to attend this school?

The Radcliffe School is a caring community that values pupils, families and staff. Parents and carers are positive about the strong leadership and improvements they have seen in recent years. Staff are determined that all pupils will achieve and behave well. They put pupils at the heart of their decision-making and provide a wide range of courses for older pupils to select for study.

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What is it like to attend this school?

There are strong systems to manage pupils’ behaviour. Pupils know that incidents of poor behaviour will be addressed. Low-level disruption occurs sometimes but pupils understand that this will be dealt with fairly and quickly. This means that pupils can focus in most lessons. Pupils are polite, welcoming and courteous.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and say that they feel safe in school because staff listen to them and take action if they report bullying. A capable and enthusiastic team of ‘anti- bullying ambassadors’ is always on hand to help pupils to discuss and deal with any concerns about bullying. Pupils know that staff want them to succeed and are helpful if they need additional support. One pupil said, ‘It is the best school in the world.’

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better?

Leaders have reordered the curriculum so that pupils build their knowledge over time. Many of these changes are new. Consequently, pupils have not learned all of the content that leaders intend. Teachers ensure that pupils refer to their prior learning when considering new concepts. This helps pupils to revise and remember their learning. Teachers use regular assessment effectively to check pupils’ understanding and to plan series of lessons that build upon what pupils know.

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better?

Pupils who need additional support with English and mathematics are well supported. Many of these pupils quickly catch up meaning they are able to access and understand texts and successfully apply mathematics in a range of subjects. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are provided with effective support and this enables them to achieve well. Staff work carefully with parents and external agencies to ensure that the support for these pupils is focused and tailored to their needs. This helps pupils with SEND to access the full curriculum, achieve well and to make long-lasting, meaningful friendships.

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better?

Leaders have high expectations for all pupils. More pupils than previously choose to study a modern foreign language. Leaders are determined to continue to build upon the changes they have already made to the curriculum. Increasing proportions of pupils are now taking subjects that lead to them achieving the English Baccalaureate (EBacc).

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better?

The school is a calm and well-ordered place. Pupils say that behaviour is normally calm, although there are some pockets of low-level disruption. Pupils do feel that 28–29 January 2020

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they are normally able to get on with their work without being interrupted or distracted by others.

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Pupils speak highly of teachers and say that all staff care for them. Staff use the house system and a range of ‘get involved’ activities to develop the broader character qualities of each pupil. The use of ‘Modern Britain’ lessons ensures that pupils have a secure understanding of issues such as sexual health and relationships. However, this curriculum requires further development for Year 11 pupils, who rely on focus days and tutor activities for this aspect of their preparation for life.

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Students in the sixth form have a wide range of course options and enjoy their experiences to learn about future career pathways. They have opportunities for leadership and are involved in mentoring and supporting younger pupils to develop their reading skills. Some students take part in work experience but planned opportunities for all members of the sixth form to do this are not yet in place.

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Governors have a secure knowledge of the school. They focus on the things that matter and ask the right questions. However, governors must ensure that all aspects of the school’s statutory duties, such as the sixth-form entitlement, are implemented fully.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Pupils are well cared for. Staff keep detailed records of their actions in response to concerns raised about pupils. They are trained to look out for signs that pupils may be at risk from harm. Staff take prompt action when required and work closely with external agencies, including early help, the police and children’s services. Parents who responded to Ofsted’s Parent View were positive and confident that staff look after their children well.

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(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

 Leaders have developed a curriculum that guides pupils though the subject content in a logical manner. However, some of these changes are relatively recent and pupils have not yet acquired all of the knowledge they need to achieve leaders’ ambitious goals. Leaders must ensure that all subjects are carefully sequenced to help pupils to know more and remember more over time.  Leaders’ high expectations and enhancements to systems have led to improvements in pupils’ behaviour. In a small number of classes, low-level disruption continues. Leaders must continue to address these incidents to ensure that calm and focused behaviour is the norm for all. 28–29 January 2020

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use Ofsted Parent View information when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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How can I feed back my views?

If you are the school and you are not happy with the inspection or the report, you can complain to Ofsted .

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ refers to those pupils who attract government pupil premium funding: pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years and pupils in care or who left care through adoption or another formal route. 28–29 January 2020

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provision

Number of pupils on the school roll 1,190

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sixth form

Appropriate authority The governing body

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sixth form

Date of previous inspection 25 October 2018 under section 8 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 There have been significant changes to the school’s leadership team since the last inspection. The headteacher has been in post for the last two years.

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Information about this inspection

We carried out this inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Information about this inspection

 We did deep dives in English, science, geography, art and the social sciences. As part of this work we conducted lesson visits with senior staff, held meetings with subject leaders, met with teachers and spoke to pupils about their work.  We met with senior and subject leaders to discuss the curriculum, safeguarding, pupils’ behaviour and personal development and well-being. 28–29 January 2020

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 We spoke to pupils and staff about behaviour, bullying and safeguarding matters, including how the school responds if concerns were raised with staff about bullying.  A number of documents were reviewed including: policies, governors’ minutes and the school self-evaluation.  As part of the inspection of safeguarding, the school’s systems and recruitment procedures were checked. We reviewed the single central register.  We spoke to a range of staff, including support staff and newly qualified teachers.  We considered the views of parents, pupils and staff through the Ofsted surveys.  The lead inspector spoke to governors, including the chair. She also met with a representative from the local authority.

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Inspection team

Catherine Davies, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection team

Alison Robb-Webb Ofsted Inspector 28–29 January 2020

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regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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