Fitzharrys School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 April 2023

There is a strong sense of inclusion and community at this school. Pupils proudly show the school values of 'aspiration, opportunity, integrity'. They consistently demonstrate kindness and support towards each other. Pupils' relationships with staff are built on mutual respect. They know that staff have their best interests at heart and as such they feel safe, happy and cared for. Pupils learn to become responsible citizens and are well prepared for life in modern Britain. They are knowledgeable about equality and human rights and actively celebrate diversity. Pupils care about their school community. They appreciate how much leaders respond to the views they share through the school council. Leaders have high expectations for pupils' learning and behaviour. As a result, pupils learn in a calm and purposeful environment. Staff consistently apply the school's behaviour policy well. Consequently, pupils are clear about what is expected from them. Staff manage the rare instances of low-level disruption effectively, which reduces any potential impact on how well pupils learn. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), have the support they need to learn well, and pupils attain highly in public examinations. In lessons, pupils are resilient and focused on their work.

What the school should improve

• Provision for pupils with SEND is still being refined by leaders. This means that the support that some pupils receive is not as precise as it could be. Leaders should continue their work to enhance and embed practice across the entire school and ensure systems for oversight are consistently robust.
• Persistent absence of the most vulnerable pupils is too high. These pupils do not consistently benefit from all that school has to offer. Leaders should continue their work to refine strategies that will reduce persistent absence further.

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