Silverstone UTC

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 November 2023

Pupils are keen to attend school. Most are positive about their school experience. Many enjoy the school facilities and experiences linked to the Silverstone circuit. They hope that the school will prepare them well for their chosen career and get them 'work ready'. However, some pupils and parents/carers are disappointed that the quality of education has not lived up to their expectations. There are good relationships between staff and pupils. As a result, most pupils behave and get on well with each other. They work hard and want to achieve. Most pupils learn to work independently and are resilient to setbacks. They get better at thinking creatively and solving problems. Pupils work safely and follow instructions closely, helping to make the school a safe environment. Suitable experiences of the world of work help pupils appreciate how their studies are relevant to their future career aspirations. Some students in the sixth form benefit from extended placements with the school's business partners, where they work to industry standards. Pupils receive high-quality advice about careers. Many are very successful at securing appropriate placements when they leave school. However, some pupils do not achieve as well as they could in all subjects, particularly at key stage 4.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, what pupils should learn and when is not identified precisely enough. As a result, teachers do not always know exactly what they should teach pupils. This limits how well some pupils can remember what they have learned and make links to what comes next. The school should ensure that there is precise clarification of what pupils should learn and be able to do in each subject so that pupils are supported to build their knowledge over time.
• Some teachers do not use assessment effectively to identify misconceptions or gaps in pupils' knowledge. This risks pupils being moved on to new learning before they are ready. The school should ensure that teachers have the necessary knowledge and skills to use assessment effectively so that they fill any gaps in pupils' knowledge and understanding.
• The school does not have a clear strategy in place to promote pupils' love of reading. Pupils who are reluctant readers are not assessed or helped quickly enough. This impacts on their ability to access other aspects of the curriculum. The school should ensure that all pupils who require it receive timely and effective support to become confident and fluent readers.
• Some pupils with SEND are not supported well in lessons. Teachers do not have sufficient information to provide some of these pupils with effective support. As a result, these pupils' needs are not always well met. The school should ensure that teachers have the necessary information, knowledge and skills so that these pupils get the help they need to be successful.
• The personal development programme is not structured well enough. Some significant aspects of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural curriculum are not thought through or delivered carefully enough. Pupils' understanding of different cultures and beliefs and of what it means to be British is too limited. The school should ensure that there is a well-devised programme for personal development that prepares pupil well for life in modern Britain.

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