The Martin High School Anstey

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 April 2024

Pupils are happy to attend The Martin High School. They enjoy positive relationships with staff. Pupils are tolerant of differences and celebrate diversity. There are many extra-curricular opportunities available, including clubs, trips and visits. Many pupils take part in these, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school is aspirational for all pupils to gain the knowledge and qualifications they need to be successful in future education and employment. There has been a period of instability at the school. There have been many changes to leadership and staff. Pupils have not achieved as well as they should in recent years. This is reflected in the most recent published outcomes from external examinations. However, with strengthened leadership, the school has acted quickly to improve the curriculum and support staff to develop their expertise. The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Most pupils behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. Pupils are proud to earn rewards for good conduct and achievement. There are established routines to support pupils to behave well. However, staff do not always apply these routines consistently. Pupils are frustrated by this. They are not always clear what is expected of them.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum is not delivered consistently well across the school. Sometimes, staff do not check well enough that pupils are secure in what they have learned previously or how well they have understood new knowledge. They do not always adapt lesson activities to build on prior learning. Misconceptions are not always addressed quickly. As a result, learning is sometimes insecure. Some pupils do not remember what they have learned. The school needs to ensure that staff routinely check pupils' understanding and adapt lessons so that all pupils gain knowledge securely and remember what they have learned.
• The school's high expectations for behaviour and conduct are not applied consistently. Staff do not always make sure that pupils follow routines that support positive behaviour or apply sanctions for poor behaviour. Some pupils are not clear what the expectations are. Sometimes poor behaviour disrupts learning. The school needs to make sure that all staff share the same expectations and apply routines and sanctions consistently.

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