John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 September 2024

Pupils and staff are justifiably proud of the welcoming and friendly culture at John Kyrle. Pupils get on well with each other and actively demonstrate the school's value of respect in their interactions and conduct. The vast majority meet the school's high expectations of behaviour, moving around the site calmly and requiring minimal supervision at social times. Those who make the wrong choices know that any consequences are fair. Pupils want to meet the school's high expectations of their learning. They apply themselves well in lessons, especially on independent tasks and opportunities to improve their work. Most achieve well. Lessons are rarely disrupted by poor behaviour. Sixth-form students visibly enjoy their learning and make the most of the many opportunities for high-quality discussion. The school makes sure that pupils learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy at an age-appropriate level through the 'respect' curriculum. There are many opportunities for pupils to engage in extra-curricular activities. The curriculum is enhanced by visits and participation in competitions. Many pupils gain important life skills and experiences through their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh programme. Pupils are proud of their charitable activities, including the close links they have with a partner school in Uganda.

What the school should improve

• The key knowledge pupils need to learn is not always made explicitly clear to them. This means pupils do not always understand how their learning is building over time. The school should ensure that the curriculum is implemented in a way that enables all pupils to better understand themselves as learners in each subject.
• There are times when teaching is not adapted well enough to meet the needs of groups of pupils. This can include some disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND and those who are persistently absent. Consequently, some of these pupils develop gaps in their knowledge or do not learn and achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that all staff are clear around their role and responsibilities in supporting these pupils to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• There is more to be done to strengthen the school's work on literacy and oracy. Sometimes, pupils do not have opportunities to discuss their learning and practise using new vocabulary before they move to written work. The school should ensure all staff are consistently following the school's literacy and oracy strategies.

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