The Joseph Whitaker School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

The school is developing a culture that reflects its motto of 'Proud to be me. Proud to be Us.' Pupils are well cared for. They are safe and happy at school. The school is ambitious for everyone to do well in all aspects of school life. Staff are committed to the school's values and aspirations for all pupils. The school has high expectations of pupils. Pupils learn well in most subjects. The majority of pupils behave well. Relationships are polite and cooperative. In lessons, most pupils focus on their learning and learn well. Pupils appreciate the school's priority of nurturing respect for difference. Sixth-form students are proud of the school. They serve as positive role models for younger pupils. They appreciate the support and care they receive. The school nurtures pupils' confidence, resilience and independence very well. Pupils benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including a variety of clubs and sports. Pupils gain from many memorable experiences, including trips and residential visits. Many value the performing arts opportunities, including the annual stage production. Most parents and carers have positive views about the school. However, some parents do not fully appreciate the school's expectations of behaviour for their children.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the school does not identify all of the key knowledge that pupils need to learn and when. Consequently, the school's implementation of the curriculum in these subjects is inconsistent and teachers cannot make the necessary checks on pupils' understanding and build on their learning. As a result, pupils do not learn as well as they could in some subjects. The school must ensure that all subject curriculums are equally ambitious, enabling all pupils to know, remember and do more over time.
• The school's approach to managing behaviour is, at times, not consistently implemented. Consequently, a minority of pupils' attitudes to learning are not as positive as they could be. The school's high expectations of behaviour are not understood and appreciated by all parents. The school should ensure that the behaviour policy is consistently well implemented, that all parents understand these high expectations, and that the attitudes of some pupils are nurtured to be as positive as those of their peers.

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