The Royal School, Wolverhampton

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 March 2025

It is notable how much pupils enjoy coming to The Royal School. This is because the school provides a wide set of rich opportunities for all pupils. As one pupil, typical of many, stated, 'students from all backgrounds are given opportunities to lead, grow and progress'. Inspectors agreed that this accurately describes this school, from the primary setting to the sixth form. Pupils take significant pride in the diversity of the school community, which includes some pupils who have very recently arrived in the country. They understand the school's expectations for how they should behave and treat each other. Typically, these expectations are met, which contributes to the school being a well-ordered and tolerant community. In lessons, pupils concentrate and want to do their best because they understand the importance the school places on this. Through the curriculum and wider opportunities for their development, pupils understand that there are high expectations for their achievement. They strive to meet these expectations and speak highly of the support they receive from their teachers, which enables them to do so. This support is a noteworthy feature of the school, from the induction of the youngest children into the early years, to the advice and guidance students in the sixth form receive which helps them to access ambitious destinations when they leave.

What the school should improve

• A small number of pupils, often more vulnerable pupils, find it harder to meet the school's revised high expectations for their behaviour. This means that they are more likely to be suspended from school, missing valuable learning time and personal development opportunities. The school should ensure that the new behaviour policy continues to be applied consistently well by staff and that there is ongoing and effective support for those pupils who find it hardest to meet the school's high expectations for their behaviour.
• On occasions, the teaching strategies adopted do not give pupils the opportunity to practise and apply what they know, or to close gaps in their understanding. This means that a minority of pupils build a less secure body of knowledge over time. The school should ensure that it continues to provide guidance and support to enable teachers to select or adapt the most appropriate teaching strategy to help pupils to learn the curriculum as the school intends.

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