Kettlethorpe High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 June 2026

Over time, leaders have not identified pupils’ needs precisely enough. In addition, many disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not attend school regularly. Leaders are now taking appropriate actions to improve these aspects of school provision. Typically, pupils behave well. Pupils follow the 'Kettlethorpe Way' which sets out the school’s high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and conduct. Pupils show kindness and respect to each other. They conduct themselves in a calm and sensible manner. Pupils build positive relationships with their peers and staff. Staff provide pupils with pastoral care that supports their wellbeing. Pupils develop a true sense of belonging to the school community. When bullying occurs, the school deals with it effectively. Pupils are safe at school. Pupils know that staff will help them if they have any concerns. Pupils show positive attitudes to their learning. They are attentive in lessons and apply themselves well to their work. Pupils benefit from the advice and guidance they receive from teachers. Pupils who attend regularly make appropriate progress in learning the curriculum. Most pupils are well prepared for their next steps in education, training or employment. However, some pupils do not receive the specific support they need to be successful in their learning. This includes disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND. This is because, over time, leaders have not identified pupils’ needs precisely enough. Overall, pupils’ attendance at school is improving as a result of leaders’ recent actions. However, many disadvantaged pupils and some pupils with SEND do not attend well enough. Pupils receive effective support for their wellbeing. They benefit from helpful careers advice that guides their decisions about future pathways. Pupils enjoy a range of activities that enrich their learning and promote their personal development. They give back to the school and wider community through leadership roles and charitable work.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that they identify pupils’ needs in a timely and precise manner. They should give staff appropriate information about the specific strategies staff should use to support individual pupils’ learning.
• Leaders should ensure that they are rigorous and systematic in addressing low attendance so that the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities improves.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers adjust and adapt their teaching effectively to meet pupils’ needs, including the needs of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Leaders should ensure that they improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils in key stage 4 examinations so that disadvantaged pupils are well prepared for their next steps.
• Leaders should build on their recent improvement work and ensure that they respond swiftly and effectively to address any area of provision that needs improvement.

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