Idsall School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

This is a rapidly improving school. Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are happy here. Adults take the time to get to know pupils and their families really well. Pupils appreciate this and build increasingly strong and positive relationships with their teachers. This helps pupils to feel safe. Pupils are comfortable turning to staff for support if needed. They have growing confidence that any concerns will be dealt with swiftly and effectively. Behaviour at the school has improved considerably in recent months. The school has put a great deal of effort into shifting this culture. Increasingly, pupils embody the values of kindness, integrity and empathy for others in all that they do. The school has developed an ambitious curriculum. In the main, pupils enjoy their learning. However, the curriculum is not always delivered well, and some pupils do not achieve as well as they should. In addition, some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not get the support they need in lessons to do well. Pupils gain a sound understanding of their social and moral responsibilities during their time here. For example, many pupils frequently lead fundraising drives for a local food bank and refugee centre. Students in the sixth form also act as mentors, providing targeted support and guidance to younger pupils.

What the school should improve

• Some staff do not use the information they have about pupils' individual needs well enough in lessons. Consequently, some pupils' SEND are not being sufficiently met, and they struggle to access the learning. The school should ensure that all staff routinely make use of the information they have about pupils' needs in order to implement effective strategies to meet these needs within lessons.
• Sometimes, teachers do not check carefully pupils' learning. This means teachers do not know when pupils are stuck and do not accurately identify the next steps pupils need to take in their learning. The school should ensure that the best practice across the school is shared and implemented across all lessons.
• Across some lessons, the work given to pupils does not support them to gain the knowledge they need and does not move them on in their learning. This limits the progress pupils make. The school should ensure that all staff provide pupils with challenging work that is well matched to the aims of the curriculum, as well as encourage all pupils to produce their best work.
• At times, pupils' behaviour distracts from the intended learning. This is not always challenged consistently well. This disrupts learning for others. The school should ensure that all staff consistently apply the new behaviour approach and challenge any misbehaviour in lessons.

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