Beauchamp City Sixth Form

Beauchamp City Sixth Form Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Emma Woods, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 26 and 27 October 2022

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Address: 1 South Albion Street Leicester LE1 6JL Monitoring visit: Beauchamp City Sixth Form, 26 and 27 October 2022

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of education programmes for young people within the further education and skills sector. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Beauchamp City Sixth Form is part of the Lionheart Educational Trust, which has a number of schools in Leicestershire. The sixth form opened in September 2020. There are currently 926 students studying 17 A levels. The most popular A Levels are chemistry, biology and mathematics.

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Significant progress

Leaders have a clear focus to raise the aspirations of young people and increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds who progress to higher education, apprenticeships or employment. Leaders set out an ambitious academic and personal development curriculum. This prepares students well to take their next steps.

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Significant progress

Leaders closely monitor student progress. They use a range of measures to effectively monitor the progress of different groups of students. If they identify any differences, they intervene quickly to understand what is happening. They provide support to students, adjust the curriculum or take other appropriate actions as required.

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Significant progress

Leaders ensure that students benefit from exposure to a wide range of careers and next steps guidance. They work in partnership with universities, employers and other agencies to promote a range of opportunities. For example, students attend many useful subject-specific careers workshops, open days and talks from employers. Through the subject curriculum, tutors help students to understand more about the careers they can pursue.

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Significant progress

Students benefit from studying in a high-quality learning environment. They have access to appropriate equipment and resources that support their learning. Leaders respond quickly to student feedback. For example, additional laptops have been sourced for supervised study sessions. Students rightly value leaders’ responsiveness to their feedback. Monitoring visit: Beauchamp City Sixth Form, 26 and 27 October 2022 Leaders undertake a range of suitable activities to monitor the quality of education. This includes trust-led reviews, school learning walks and whole-trust standardisation for marking and feedback. These activities help leaders to identify any areas for development that they swiftly act on.

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Significant progress

Trust and local board governors challenge and support leaders and managers effectively. They understand the school and the locality. Governors receive detailed information on student progress. They use this information well to challenge leaders about any gaps between different groups of students’ progress. Leaders’ actions and responses are monitored closely in subsequent meetings.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers use their expert knowledge to build students’ subject knowledge over time. Tutors plan and sequence the curriculum well. For example, sociology students first learn core research methods and then go on to critique other research studies. As a result, students can critically analyse research studies competently.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers have a thorough initial assessment process to establish students’ starting points. Most students complete subject-specific transition assessments. Teachers use these well to identify students’ existing academic skills, subject knowledge and writing ability.

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Significant progress

Teachers create a positive and supportive culture for students. They establish professional relationships and set clear standards and expectations. Students value the ownership and independence they are given. They behave well and are committed to their studies.

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Significant progress

Teachers place a strong emphasis on students’ oracy and the use of language. They carefully and consistently develop students’ use of key terminology within lessons. This is reinforced during discussions and class activities. As a result, most students can talk confidently and fluently about complex topics.

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Significant progress

Teachers use assessment effectively in order to check students’ understanding. They adapt the curriculum based on the outcomes of these assessments when needed.

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Significant progress

Students benefit from a broad personal development curriculum. They are articulate about the importance of celebrating different backgrounds and cultures. Students rightly value the range of opportunities they have to celebrate this. For example, whole-school events, such as your culture day and a live performance lounge allow students to showcase their backgrounds and cultures to others. Monitoring visit: Beauchamp City Sixth Form, 26 and 27 October 2022 Most students complete a one-week optional work placement during their programme of study. However, leaders and managers are yet to ensure that all students benefit from a high-quality work placement.

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Significant progress

Students know how to keep themselves and others safe. They are confident that staff will take swift action should they raise any concerns. Students feel safe at the school to express themselves and share their views and beliefs without any fear of bullying.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers set out comprehensive policies and procedures to help to keep students safe. Staff are well trained in safeguarding, including the team of designated safeguarding leads.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers know the local area well and the risks that their students may face. Staff attend weekly, topical briefings to help them understand these risks. They use this information to talk to and inform students about these themes. For example, the risks associated with the recent demonstrations and violence between specific groups in the local community.

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Significant progress

Leaders follow suitable processes to recruit new staff and undertake the necessary pre-employment checks. Monitoring visit: Beauchamp City Sixth Form, 26 and 27 October 2022 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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Significant progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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