King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 May 2024

This welcoming and empowering school inspires pupils to reach their potential. Pupils are ready to learn, respectful in conversation and resilient in the face of challenges. They feel safe in school. Pupils know staff are there to help them when they need it. All pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, achieve strong outcomes, particularly at the end of key stage 4. The school has great ambitions for those in their care. Pupils and students in sixth form experience a broad and balanced curriculum. There is a very calm and purposeful atmosphere throughout the school. Pupils show a clear understanding of the routines around school. Pupils say they can focus on their learning very well and want to succeed. They are often given opportunities to discuss their learning. Pupils can debate complex ideas together in a mature and considered fashion. Students act as role models in this community of learning. They talk about equality of opportunity with maturity and understanding. The collaboration between students in the sixth form and younger pupils enriches the school. The united effort to produce the school magazine 'Loud Speaker' and how Year 12 students organise reading buddies for younger pupils are examples of this. A wide range of leadership roles are available to pupils. They actively contribute to communications about what they have been doing in school and on trips and visits.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, including PSHE, the revised curriculum is earlier in its implementation. This means that pupils are not fully benefiting from this planned learning. The school should ensure that the curriculum is implemented effectively in all year groups and subject areas, so that pupils can secure knowledge well.
• There is variability in how assessment is used to inform ongoing curriculum planning and implementation. As a result, pupils are not always benefiting from being able to deepen their understanding. The school should ensure that assessment is used effectively to improve pupils' experience of the taught curriculum.
• The shared perceptions of workload among some staff have not always been accurate. As a result, changes have not been consistently well implemented at times. The school should ensure that change is embraced and understood by all staff, including how any alterations will impact working practice.

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