Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 February 2023

Pupils flourish in this inclusive and vibrant school. Leaders are deeply committed to providing every pupil with the opportunity to shine. Pupils, including those in the sixth form, benefit from an extensive range of trips and enrichment experiences. Opportunities such as collaborating in scientific research with the European Space Agency or running science and technology workshops for local primary school children help to prepare pupils to be responsible citizens. Pupils learn to influence positive change through their roles in various student leadership teams. They respectfully debate challenging topics and extend their understanding of democracy through visits to parliament and hosting hustings. Pupils are mature, and their behaviour is exemplary. This is because leaders have established a strong culture of mutual respect. Bullying is extremely rare because staff deal with it quickly and effectively. Positive relationships between staff and pupils mean that the school is a nurturing and calm place to learn. Leaders quickly identify any barriers to learning. This helps to ensure that all pupils can achieve their potential. This includes providing additional, thoughtful support for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Expectations in lessons are high, and pupils strive to achieve their very best.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the specific knowledge that pupils need to learn has not always been precisely identified and ordered clearly enough. Consequently, not all pupils have the knowledge they need to confidently link and apply what they know to new learning. Leaders must ensure the important knowledge that pupils need to know is clearly identified and ordered so all pupils achieve the ambitious goals of the curriculum.
• Assessment information is not consistently used to recap and review learning. This means that gaps in knowledge can go unaddressed. Leaders must ensure that all teachers have the expertise they need to adapt teaching in response to where they identify pupils need additional support.

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