Mary Webb School and Science College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 June 2023

Pupils feel safe and happy in this inclusive and supportive school. Staff care for pupils' well-being. This motivates pupils to attend school, and many have high attendance rates. Pupils want to work in this calm and purposeful environment. Pupils are keen to learn because their teachers get to know their needs. They give pupils challenging work, which encourages them to think hard and remember important knowledge. Pupils like the demanding tasks that take them out of their comfort zone. Pupils want to succeed. They can study a wide range of GCSE subjects. Most achieve well. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) follow the same curriculum as their peers, and most flourish. Occasionally, a few of them cannot complete an adapted task. Leaders' expectations for behaviour are high. Pupils know right from wrong. Pupils know, understand and follow the clear rules. Bullying occurs sometimes. It is not tolerated. Staff swiftly and effectively address any issues. Pupils are respectful to each other and to staff. Pupils enjoy extra-curricular activities. These include gardening and archery. Recently, Year 8 pupils reached the national finals of the English Schools' Football Association small schools' trophy competition.

What the school should improve

• Until recently, leaders have not encouraged enough pupils to follow a modern foreign language during key stage 4. As a result, pupils miss out on the academic breadth and depth that studying the EBacc offers. Leaders should carry on promoting the study of a modern foreign language and the many advantages of studying the EBacc.
• Not all learning is adapted well enough to meet the differing needs and abilities of a few pupils with SEND. This means that some pupils do not receive the support they need to secure the important building blocks of key knowledge or to access more complex learning. Consequently, some of these pupils do not make the progress of which they are capable. Leaders should ensure that all teachers have the skills and knowledge to effectively adapt learning when necessary.

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