Drayton Manor High School

Inspection of Drayton Manor High School Drayton Bridge Road, Hanwell, London W7 1EU

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Inspection dates: 28 and 29 November 2023

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Outstanding Sixth-form provision Outstanding Previous inspection grade Outstanding

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The headteacher of this school is Lisa Mills. This school is part of Drayton Manor High School Academy Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer, Lisa Mills, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Jonathan Eva.

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Until November 2020, the school was exempt from routine inspection because it was judged as outstanding at its previous inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. The school has not been inspected under section 5 of the Act since May 2012. 28 and 29 November 2023

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What is it like to attend this school?

This school is driven by its ethos to build character and ambition and develop ‘civic virtue’. The school provides an ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils develop secure subject knowledge, which results in strong outcomes in public examinations.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school has high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and conduct. Pupils are polite and courteous. They have highly positive attitudes and are attentive in lessons. Pupils are safe at this school.

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What is it like to attend this school?

There are opportunities for pupil leadership and responsibility. Students in the sixth form relish taking up responsibilities offered by the school. They actively support the well-being of others. The sixth form has a thoughtful enrichment offer, including a science club, community service, the extended project qualification and scholars’ programmes. They may also learn British Sign Language or take part in a variety of sports.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school has an unwavering approach in providing both a strong curriculum and a broad offer of experiences. Leaders bring the school community together, particularly through music, where collective singing features throughout Years 7 to 9. The school also makes breakfast available to all pupils to foster a positive start to the day. The school rewards and celebrates pupils’ successes regularly.

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better?

The school provides all pupils with a broad and highly ambitious curriculum, enriched by the opportunity to study classics, Latin and Greek. Teachers ensure that pupils learn and retain important knowledge across the range of subjects. Teachers have strong subject knowledge, which enables discussion of complex ideas and concepts.

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better?

Inclusivity is at the heart of this school. The school identifies pupils’ needs with precision and shares this information with staff. The school has a range of strategies available to support pupils with SEND, which are used appropriately when needed. Pupils with SEND achieve very well.

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better?

The school has thoughtfully identified the knowledge that pupils will learn. This is carefully sequenced in a logical order. For example, in science, pupils study the particle model of solids, liquids and gases as a foundation before learning about thermal energy transfer. Pupils are encouraged to apply their learning to the modern world. In history, pupils draw connections between past and present migration, as well as exploring different conflicts. Similarly, in English, there is a balance between pre-1914 literature and contemporary texts. This enables a deeper appreciation of language and context. Pupils quickly develop skills of critical enquiry, data analysis and evaluation as they progress through the school. The school promotes a love of 28 and 29 November 2023

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reading and ensures that those who need additional help with their reading are well supported to catch up quickly.

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The curriculum is also suitably demanding in the sixth form. The school ensures that students are prepared thoroughly for this stage of learning and quickly develop their confidence in tackling complex ideas.

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The school has very high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. The school is a calm and orderly place. Pupils’ confidence builds quickly, and they learn to manage their own emotions and behaviour. They enjoy taking up responsibilities, with roles such as well-being ambassadors, for example. The school has worked tirelessly to ensure that pupils attend school as much as possible. Pupils attend very well, including in the sixth form. Where this is not the case, staff take swift and effective action to help pupils get back into school.

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The school provides suitable guidance to pupils to support planning for their next steps in education, employment or training. They receive useful advice and information. Personal, social, health and economic education is delivered appropriately. Pupils can understand and discuss fundamental British values and equality of opportunity. They demonstrate respectful attitudes and are prepared for life in modern Britain. The school teaches pupils how to stay safe, including online. The school provides a broad range of enrichment opportunities. Some pupils do not yet take up these wider opportunities or fully engage with the school’s ethos. This is stronger in the sixth form.

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The sixth form provides extensive opportunities for the promotion of students’ personal development. Students benefit from a rich set of experiences and encounters with the world of work. They are very well prepared for their next stage of education or employment. ‘Civic virtue’ is at the core of the sixth form. Students undertake community service and support younger pupils with enthusiasm.

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Leaders at all levels are reflective and committed to driving the school forward. The school provides high-quality professional development opportunities for staff. Staff have time to embed their learning and feel valued. The governors support the school and share leaders’ ambitions for pupils to succeed and be good citizens. Governors fulfil their statutory duties well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 28 and 29 November 2023

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View 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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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 28 and 29 November 2023

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provision

Number of pupils on the school roll 1,432

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sixth form

Website http://www.draytonmanorhighschool.co. uk/ Date of previous inspection 25 May 2012, under section 5 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The headteacher of this school took up their post in April 2019.  The school is part of Drayton Manor High School Academy Trust.  The school uses two registered alternative providers to support a small number of pupils.  The school meets the requirements of the provider access legislation, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8 to 13 with information and engagement about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. 28 and 29 November 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors met with the headteacher and the school’s senior leaders. Additionally, discussions were held with trustees, including the chair of trustees.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: English, mathematics, science, history and physical education. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.  Inspectors also discussed the curriculum and visited lessons in some other subjects.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single

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Information about this inspection

central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors reviewed a range of documentation, including leaders’ school evaluation, information about pupils’ personal development, records for behaviour and attendance, and reports to those responsible for oversight.  Inspectors met with groups of pupils to understand their experience of the school.  Inspectors took account of survey responses from parents, pupils and staff.

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Inspection team

Sarah Saunders, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Phil Garnham His Majesty’s Inspector 28 and 29 November 2023

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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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