King David High School

Inspection Report King David High School

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104703 Unique Reference Number Liverpool Local Authority 287010 Inspection number 20 °21 September 2006 Inspection dates Derek Aitken 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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Childwall Road School address Secondary Type of school Liverpool Voluntary aided School category Merseyside L15 6UZ 11 °18 Age range of pupils 0151 7227496 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0151 7380259 Fax number 630 Number on roll (school) 181 Number on roll (6th form) Mr M Steinbeck Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Brigid Smith Headteacher 19 March 2001 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 287010 20 °21 September 2006 11°18 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 four Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

King David High School is an over-subscribed, Jewish faith based school. While it is smaller than average, the sixth form is a member of the Fiveways Collaboration and is rapidly growing in number. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds and very few have English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals is low. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average. One sixth of places are reserved for pupils with musical talents. The headteacher was confirmed in her post in September 2005.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006

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Grade: 2

This is a good school with some outstanding features. These include leadership of the headteacher, the overall quality of provision for the sixth form, standards, and elements of personal development. Pupils' attainment on entry to the school is well above the national average. They maintain these standards to the end of Year 11. Their progress is especially marked in Years 10 and 11 and the sixth form. A high level of success in both English and mathematics at GCSE sets them up well for future study or employment. Pupils enjoy school and feel safe here. This is reflected in their high level of attendance and very positive attitudes. Sixth formers have ample opportunities to mature and show responsibility. They play an important part in the life of the school, acting as effective 'big brothers and sisters' to the younger pupils. Teaching and learning are good overall and increasingly effective in the older years as pupils and students are

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Grade: 2

prepared very well to meet examination requirements. In some lessons, pupils have too few opportunities to develop as independent learners. They are, however, becoming increasingly aware of how they can improve their work. The curriculum is mostly well matched to meet the needs of learners, including those with learning difficulties, although it lacks a strong vocational element. Care arrangements for pupils have improved since the last inspection and are now good. The school's systems for tracking pupils' academic progress are also improving. The quality of pastoral and academic guidance for the sixth form is exceptional. The headteacher, within a short period of time, has given a fresh impetus to the work of the school. The introduction of stronger monitoring and evaluation systems is providing a very strong basis for further development. School leaders have an acute awareness of what the school needs to do to improve further and outstanding capacity

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Grade: 2

to bring this about. The efficient and very effective deployment of resources means that this school provides outstanding value for money.

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Grade: 1

The sixth form is better than the school believes; it is outstanding. The very high proportion of students entering the sixth form and continuing into higher education bears testimony to the outstanding quality of provision. Standards and achievement are outstanding with outstanding performance not only in terms of subject grades but also in terms of progress. Students do exceptionally well compared with similar students in other schools and colleges. In 2005 and 2006, the school was in the top 10% of schools nationally. The collaborative arrangements with other institutions are a significant strength of provision, giving sixth-formers a very extensive range of opportunities and an outstanding curriculum. Students are well taught and assessment procedures are highly effective. The very high levels of care and guidance and the outstanding leadership of the head of sixth form ensure that students' personal

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Grade: 1

development is also of the highest order. A sixth-former remarked that students have 2 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006 a 'strong bond with their teachers' and this certainly contributes to the high degree of effectiveness.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Provide more opportunities for independent learning in lessons. • Widen the range of vocational opportunities for Year 10 and Year 11 pupils.

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Grade for sixth form: 1

There is good achievement by pupils throughout the school. In the case of the sixth form, achievement is outstanding. The majority of the pupils enter the school in Year 7 having achieved standards that are well above average. In 2005, pupils in Year 9 obtained results in English, mathematics and science tests that were well above the national averages. When compared with schools having similar intakes, progress was broadly in line with expectations, although varying across the subjects. The results obtained by pupils in 2006 are highly encouraging with more pupils attaining the higher levels than in previous years. By the end of Year 11, pupils progress well beyond national expectations. In 2005, the proportion of pupils obtaining 5 or more GCSE passes at grade C or above increased to a school record high of 91%; this rose again in 2006 to 91.4% and no pupil left without gaining at least one GCSE grade. Boys and girls make equally good progress.

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Grade for sixth form: 1

Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported well and this enables them to achieve well.

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Grade for sixth form: 1

The personal development and well-being of learners is good with some outstanding elements. Pupils and students like coming to school, as shown by their outstanding attendance. They behave impeccably, even in lessons where they are given fewer opportunities to discuss and learn independently. The revamped school council provides opportunities for them to discuss concerns and to make decisions; for example, councillors were instrumental in reducing chips at lunchtime and in banning fizzy, sugary drinks. The school is now seeking ways of extending their voice further. Sixth formers are invaluable in peer mentoring and in offering extra support in classes to younger pupils with learning difficulties. All learners are very committed to fund-raising and take part very willingly in each other's festivals and celebrations. The new personal, social and health education programme makes a major contribution to learners'

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Grade for sixth form: 1

outstanding moral and social development. A wide range of educational visits provides pupils with a good knowledge of local and international cultures. Provision for their 3 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006 spiritual development has improved since the last inspection with a prayer room set aside for the Islamic pupils within the school.

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Grade for sixth form: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good throughout the school, including the sixth form. Pupils are keen to do their best and they enjoy their lessons. The high degree of mutual respect between teachers and pupils results in lessons being conducted in a harmonious atmosphere and teachers provide generous extra individual support. Teachers are knowledgeable about their subjects and new initiatives are making an increasingly positive impact on pupils' learning. In the outstanding lessons, the teacher has infectious enthusiasm, sets a high level of challenge and pace, and this is reflected in pupils' sustained concentration and excellent progress. Skilful questioning and the continuous assessment of learning lead to pupils having a thorough understanding of the work and they are actively involved in the development of ideas. In less effective lessons, there is an absence of sparkle because teachers dominate and

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Grade for sixth form: 2

provide too few opportunities for pupils to explain or take an active part in thinking things out for themselves. Assessment data is now being used better to enhance performance, set targets and track progress. It is particularly effective in the sixth form. Targets are known by pupils and they are made aware of any weaknesses and what they need to do to improve.

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Grade for sixth form: 1

The school provides pupils in Years 7 to 11 with a good curriculum. It meets statutory requirements and makes a good contribution to pupils' personal development and education for citizenship. Cross-curricular provision for literacy and numeracy is excellent, but current arrangements do not ensure that information and communication technology (ICT) provision is effective for a minority of Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. There is a good range of academic pathways for Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. The school is currently conducting a review of the curriculum in order to provide greater flexibility in Key Stage 4 to include vocational courses. Work related learning is, however, being increasingly promoted in most subjects and there is an increasing number of enterprise opportunities. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities, particularly in sport and music, and most pupils take an active part in one or more activity. Enrichment

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Grade for sixth form: 1

opportunities for sixth formers are excellent. 4 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006

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Grade for sixth form: 1

The school provides good care, guidance and support for its pupils. Pupils feel safe from bullying and most believe they can share any concerns with a teacher or one of the sixth formers, who support them in their form classes. Induction systems for Year 7 pupils are good. The latter say staff quickly ensure they know all the procedures for staying safe. The narrow corridors are potentially hazardous but pupils' sense of good order minimises the risk. However, recording systems for health and safety do not yet conform to best practice. The excellent guidance given to pupils before embarking on their GCSE and A level courses is a significant factor in their achievement. Support is well matched to the needs of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and their progress is effectively tracked to ensure they achieve challenging targets. Appropriate use is made of external agencies. Parents and carers are very appreciative

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Grade for sixth form: 1

of the school but would welcome closer ties to help them support their children more fully. Procedures to monitor performance, set targets and track progress are proving to be more effective. They are outstanding in the sixth form.

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Grade for sixth form: 1

Leadership and management are good overall and outstanding in the sixth form. The headteacher provides outstanding leadership and colleagues have welcomed her vision and enthusiasm in the drive to provide the best possible education for the pupils. The leadership team are all having a positive impact on raising standards; they have willingly accepted new challenges and overcome severe staffing difficulties. The head of sixth form refers to 'having a passion' for his area of responsibility and this is reflected within the work of the school across all areas. Governors are very supportive and discharge their responsibilities with sensitivity. The school development plan gives clear direction and links to all aspects of the 'Every Child Matters' agenda. Subject leaders are willingly accepting increased accountability for evaluating and improving the work of their departments. Several curriculum areas are extremely well

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Grade for sixth form: 1

led with some outstanding practices. Systems for tracking pupils' progress have been established and are constantly being refined. The use of data to set pupils' targets has been introduced across the school and is particularly effective at sixth form level where the demands of collaboration with other schools have been met. The extent of collaboration is exceptional and viewed by the local authority as a model of good practice. Excellent results have been achieved despite the loss of many funding opportunities and working in cramped accommodation. 5 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006 .

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Grade for sixth form: 1

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006

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Inspection judgements

16-19 School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

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Overall effectiveness

1 2 How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision of education, integrated care and any extended services in meeting the needs of learners? 1 2 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? 1 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 1 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements Yes Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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Achievement and standards

1 2 How well do learners achieve? 1 1 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

1 2 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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well-being of the learners?

The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The behaviour of learners 1 The attendance of learners 2 How well learners enjoy their education 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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range of needs and interests of learners?

1 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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range of needs and interests of learners?

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average to below average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low. 7 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006

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achievement and supporting all learners?

How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can How effectively and efficiently resources, including staff, are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Yes Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements? No Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? 8 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for making us feel welcome in your school and for being helpful when we asked you questions. We enjoyed talking to you and finding out about the things you like doing. Your enthusiasm impressed us as did the high standards you reach in your work. We spent a lot of time talking to your headteacher and other staff and looking at the work of the school we came to the following conclusions: your school provides you with a good education and the sixth form is outstanding. We consider the following to be particularly effective: • the high standards, particularly at the end of Years 11 and 13 • your understanding that you need to work hard to reach these standards • how well you get on with your classmates and the teachers • your enjoyment of school life, including extra-curricular activities • the exceptional curricular opportunities on offer for sixth formers • how well the headteacher and her senior colleagues are developing your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Some areas of the school's work need developing further. We have asked the headteacher and the staff to: • ensure that you get the chance to contribute fully in lessons and learn independently • build up a good range of vocational courses for Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. Thank you for helping us. Please share this letter with the other pupils and students. We hope you will continue to enjoy learning and helping your teachers to make King David High School an even better place to be. 9 Inspection Report: King David High School, 20 °21 September 2006

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