Finchley Catholic High School

Finchley Catholic High School Inspection report

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101362 Unique Reference Number Barnet Local Authority 276507 Inspection number 12 °13 October 2005 Inspection dates Sean Hanan HMI Reporting inspector

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

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Comprehensive Type of school Voluntary aided School category 11 °18 Age range of pupils Boys Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Jim Cunningham Chair Mr Kevin J Hoare Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Woodside Lane School address Finchley London N12 8TA

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02084450105 Telephone number 02084460691 Fax number

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11 °18 Age group 12 °13 October 2005 Inspection dates 276507 Inspection number .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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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.

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one of Her Majesty's Inspectors and three additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

Finchley Catholic High is an average sized school situated in the London borough of Barnet. Barnet is a relatively prosperous borough and this is reflected in the school's intake. The proportion of pupils eligible for free schools meals and those with special educational needs are well below the national averages. About half the pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, well above the national average. The school has a strong ethos based on Christian values. It has a sixth form of about 200 students. It has been a business and enterprise specialist college since 2002.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Finchley Catholic High School, 12 °13 October 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Provide greater challenge for more able students in some subjects.* Improve the consistency with which students' progress is monitored, marking is diagnostic and targets are set.* Increase the proportion of lessons that are good or better.

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Grade:

Teaching and learning are satisfactory overall. Most lessons follow a common structure and have clear objectives, although these sometimes lack the detail needed to help all students, especially the more able, to gain the highest grades. Where lessons are outstanding or good, students are involved in their own learning, are encouraged to think for themselves and progress is rapid. Teachers use expert subject knowledge to make lessons exciting and relevant. A minority of teachers spend too long explaining the purpose of the lesson or making students copy information from the board. There is too little questioning of students' understanding, they become passive listeners and so do not always make the progress they should.Some teachers are better than others in the way they mark and assess students' work. At its best, assessment supports students' progress and helps them achieve well. It also helps teachers in their planning.

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Grade:

However, not all teachers give students enough information on how well they are doing, or by marking students' work with sufficiently detailed comments.

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Grade:

The school provides a good, varied and stimulating curriculum that meets statutory requirements and the needs of all students. New and relevant subjects, such as construction, are offered that are supported by links and connections resulting from specialist school status. These are planned specifically to help boys prepare for employment or future study when they leave school.Students enjoy and support the good range of activities outside lessons including sports, music and drama clubs. Students in Year 10 can take some GCSE examinations early and those in the sixth form choose from a very wide range of subjects, because of the partnership with a local school. The school is working to improve the quality of careers education offered especially to boys in Years 10 to 13. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Finchley Catholic High School, 12 °13 October 2005

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Grade:

The quality of care provided for students is good. There are effective arrangements to encourage positive behaviour and attitudes, and good procedures to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment and to ensure safety. Students are well informed about courses in school and about university choices; careers guidance is satisfactory. Their personal development and well-being are promoted effectively and there are very good opportunities for them to contribute to the school and local community. The school provides very good support for students with learning difficulties or disabilities through the use of teaching assistants in the classroom and excellent targeted support. The extensive contacts with local industry enable a full programme of work-related learning for all students as well as the vocational courses. There is insufficient tracking of students' progress or setting of targets in some subjects to enable all students to

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Finchley Catholic High School, 12 °13 October 2005 .

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Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Finchley Catholic High School, 12 °13 October 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I am writing on behalf of the inspection team to let you know the judgements we have made about your school. Thank you for taking part in the inspection by talking to us about your work and your life in school. * We believe your school is a good school.* The headteacher and the other people in the school with responsibility make decisions with your best interests at heart. Through the school council, you play your part in improving the school.* Nearly all of you attend regularly, behave yourselves very well and are particularly confident and polite.* You enjoy coming to school and you do well, particularly when the teachers make your lessons lively.* You are all valued as individuals and you are well supported by your teachers and tutors.* If you have a special educational need, you are generally well looked after.* You contribute very well to the life of the school and many of you help in the local community.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Your school needs to:* Tell you more about the progress you are making.* Provide more opportunities for you if you are particularly good at a subject.* Continue to improve your lessons, so providing you with the best possible experience at school. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Finchley Catholic High School, 12 °13 October 2005

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