Ridgewood Community High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 November 2023

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, enjoy school. They look after each other at playtimes and help each other to learn during lessons. Pupils benefit from the strong and positive relationships that they have with staff in school. They know that they can trust the adults around them to keep them safe. Staff support pupils to reach their future goals. Staff have high expectations for pupils' achievement. A key ambition is to support all pupils to become independent. For example, students in the sixth form have ample opportunities to practise ordering a drink in the local café. They also pay for items in shops and use the local library regularly. All pupils learn how to follow a recipe and prepare food in the kitchen. Pupils enjoy challenges through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. They also take part in work experience in school and through external work placements. Pupils are supported to achieve well in this school. Pupils behave well in school. Sometimes, there are friendship issues and pupils fall out. When this happens, staff help pupils to understand how to be a good friend and to repair their friendships.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, the curriculum has not been carefully thought through. This means that teachers do not have the information that they need to help pupils learn all that they should. Consequently, this hinders pupils' achievement in these subjects. The school should ensure that all subjects are well designed, so that pupils can acquire the knowledge that they need.

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