George Mitchell School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 June 2023

Leaders have high expectations for pupils and want them to do well. This ambition can be seen in the secondary phase, for example, through the rise in the proportion of pupils who are studying the subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate. George Mitchell School is calm and orderly, for example corridors are safe spaces, where pupils move quietly from one lesson to another. Pupils are polite and friendly; most behave well and have positive attitudes to learning. Staff build positive relationships with pupils. This helps pupils to feel safe at school. Pupils say that there are adults that they can approach should they have any worries or concerns. Staff are quick to respond to any incidents such as bullying, so that these can be resolved effectively. Pupils also support each other, through initiatives such as the Year 11 'friends against bullying (FAB)' group or the Year 6 ambassadors. Staff in the primary phase offer pupils a range of exciting clubs and projects, for example, involving performing arts and languages. Many of these are organised in partnership with external providers. Leaders have rightly identified that secondary- age pupils would benefit from a wider range of clubs and activities.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, leaders have not given enough thought to the component knowledge that they want pupils to learn and connect, particularly as they move through from the primary to the secondary phase of education. As a result, pupils are not building up the strong body of knowledge that they should be. Leaders need to finalise their curriculum thinking in these subjects.
• In a few subjects and phases, there is some variation in how well staff deliver their subject curriculums. For example, some staff do not check that pupils have a secure understanding of the required component knowledge. When this happens, pupils develop misconceptions and/or gaps in their learning. Leaders should review their training to help teachers make better use of assessment, so that they can more effectively adapt their teaching to support pupils to know more and remember more.

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