Crown Hills Community College

Inspection of Crown Hills Community College Gwendolen Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE5 5FT

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Inspection dates: 21 and 22 January 2025

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The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Previous inspection grade Good 21 and 22 January 2025

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud to attend Crown Hills Community College. They demonstrate exceptionally positive attitudes and commitment to all of the opportunities that the school provides. There is a real sense of community built on a culture of tolerance and mutual respect between pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school has the very highest expectations of what pupils can achieve. The curriculum is aspirational for all. Pupils work hard and achieve well. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) thrive alongside their peers.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Behaviour is exemplary. Pupils commit wholeheartedly to learning activities. No time is wasted. Caring and dedicated staff make every effort to get to know the pupils well. Pupils trust staff to keep them safe and provide support whenever they need it.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school makes sure that all pupils benefit from an exceptional array of enrichment activities. The sports academy stretches pupils’ talents and offers them the opportunity to compete in many different sports. A wide range of clubs support pupils to develop other interests. These include debating, henna art, food science and music. Pupils enjoy memorable experiences together, such as trips to the beach and to the Houses of Parliament.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has developed a challenging and interesting curriculum. It has been very well designed to build on what pupils know already and provide them with the knowledge, skills and qualifications they need for their next stage in education. The number of pupils taking the full range of English Baccalaureate subjects has increased in recent years. Almost all pupils go on to ambitious destinations when they leave the school.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school makes sure that all pupils can access the curriculum. It quickly and accurately identifies pupils with SEND. Staff are well trained to provide help when it is needed. Weak readers and pupils who speak English as an additional language benefit from additional support to develop their reading fluency.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Teachers deliver the curriculum expertly. Through careful questioning, they check that pupils can recall what they have learned previously. Teachers quickly identify any gaps or misconceptions and correct them before moving on. They present new knowledge clearly and precisely. Pupils eagerly discuss their learning using subject-specific vocabulary accurately. Learning activities provide pupils with opportunities to apply what they have learned and gain knowledge securely. When pupils have additional needs, or need extra support, teachers adapt activities carefully so that all can be successful. Pupils respond well and produce work that is of high quality.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school’s personal development offer prepares pupils for adulthood exceptionally well. This includes an aspirational careers programme that encourages pupils to aim high. All pupils receive personalised advice about their future choices and have the opportunity to 21 and 22 January 2025

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gain work experience. Pupils learn how to maintain positive relationships and keep themselves healthy and safe.

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Themes in assemblies and tutor time help pupils to develop mature attitudes towards equality and an understanding of fundamental British values. There is a strong emphasis placed on learning about different faiths and cultures. Pupils value this and enjoy celebrating religious festivals together.

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Attendance is excellent. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They follow routines without fuss, moving around school calmly and purposefully. The school is clean and tidy because pupils help to keep it that way. Many pupils gain leadership experience by representing the school council or leading events.

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The school has strong links with the local community. It provides support and care for families when they are struggling. Parents and carers appreciate this. Pupils learn how to be good citizens as they take part in community projects and get involved with charity work to earn the school’s ‘Brettow Award’.

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Pupils thrive at this school as a result of visionary leadership and the shared commitment of staff to provide the very highest quality education for all pupils. The school is well supported by committed governors who prioritise staff’s well-being and provide strong challenge to school leaders.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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How can I feed back my views?

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). 21 and 22 January 2025

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School details

Number of pupils on the school roll 1,501

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School details

Appropriate authority The governing body

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School details

Date of previous inspection 1 May 2019, under section 8 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The school does not use any alternative provision.  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.

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. During a graded inspection, we grade the school for each of our key judgements (quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; and leadership and management) and for any relevant provision judgement (early years and/or sixth form provision). Schools receiving a graded inspection from September 2024 will not be given an overall effectiveness grade.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time evaluation about the quality of a school’s education provision. 21 and 22 January 2025

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 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 principal, the deputy principal and other school leaders.  The lead inspector met with representatives of the governing body, including the chair of governors.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: English, mathematics, history, art and computing. 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 visited lessons, looked at pupils’ work and spoke to pupils about their work in several other subjects.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, inspectors: reviewed the single central

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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 held meetings with leaders and reviewed records relating to attendance, behaviour and personal development.  Inspectors considered the views of staff, pupils and parents through discussions and using Ofsted’s online surveys.

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Inspection team

John Spragg, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Javier Sanchez-Garcia Ofsted Inspector 21 and 22 January 2025

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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 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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