South Craven School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 February 2023

Pupils benefit from attending a welcoming and inclusive school. The school motto, 'valuing all our successes', captures how leaders appreciate the individual achievements of each pupil. Teachers know their pupils well and the relationships between staff and pupils are very positive. Pupils told inspectors that they feel happy and safe. Bullying is rare, but if it does happen pupils said that staff deal with it quickly. Leaders have high expectations of all pupils. Pupils respond to this and move around the school in a calm and sensible manner. In lessons, pupils show strong attitudes towards their learning. They work hard and behave well. Sixth-form students enjoy their studies. Staff encourage and support them to be ambitious in their next steps. There is a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities in which pupils can take part. These are proving popular, with pupils and staff sharing their interests and talents in the 'This is South Craven. This is me' weekly bulletin. Pupils enjoy plentiful opportunities for debate and discussion during tutor time. This helps pupils to reflect on topical issues and develop their confidence.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, leaders have not thoroughly considered the most important knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn. This means that some pupils do not deepen their knowledge as effectively as they could. Leaders should continue to develop the curriculum in these subjects to help pupils to remember the important knowledge they are taught and make links with their prior learning.
• Pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils continue to have attendance below that of others. Leaders should monitor their actions to improve pupils' attendance and put in place further support for pupils if required.

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