Church Stretton School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 July 2024

Pupils like the fact that this is a small secondary school as it means everyone knows each other well. This is why many feel a strong sense of responsibility to the school and local community. Many play a role in making decisions as school council representatives. Older pupils act as 'bus captains', supporting younger pupils on their way to and from school. Pupils are keen to be successful in the future and want to achieve well in their examinations. They work hard in lessons. The importance of reading is valued, and pupils have access to a diverse range of books to read for enjoyment. The majority of pupils meet the school's high expectations of behaviour. There are a few who take advantage of times when they perceive consequences will not be followed through. Pupils want there to be greater consistency in how behaviour is dealt with by all staff. The school is working on this. Pupils appreciate the wide range of clubs on offer, mainly at lunchtimes. These currently include badminton, 'Stretton Singers' and creative writing. The school has made sure that pupils develop an understanding of the diversity of wider Britain. They enjoy a broad range of trips and visits to enhance their learning.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes, there is variation in how well the curriculum is implemented by staff. Sometimes, the choice of task or method of delivery, does not encourage all pupils to be actively engaged in their learning. The school should ensure that best practice is shared so that the quality of education is of a consistently high standard across the school.
• There are not enough planned opportunities for sustained and meaningful discussion in lessons. This means that pupils' discussions do not always deepen their learning or enable more creative thinking. The school should ensure that pupils develop their oracy skills effectively to extend their ideas and deepen their learning across the curriculum.
• There are times when the school's behaviour policy and practices are not applied consistently. As a result, some pupils' inappropriate behaviour is not always tackled well enough. The school should ensure that all staff follow the school's agreed policy for managing pupils' behaviour.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)