Thomas Telford University Technical College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 October 2024

An overwhelming sense of community and mutual respect greets you as you arrive at this school. Relationships between pupils and staff are supportive, caring and focused on pupils achieving their potential. Pupils appreciate their teachers and know that they want them to be successful in their learning. As a result, pupils achieve well. Pupils understand and follow the school's values, which include aspiration, integrity and kindness. They are safe and know who to talk to about any concerns they have. There is a purposeful atmosphere around the school. Pupils can focus on their learning. They work hard and want to do well. During social times, pupils move around and mix in a calm and orderly manner. This is evident in pupils' exemplary behaviour, the smartness of their uniforms, and how they speak to visitors and staff. The school prioritises pupils' personal development exceptionally well. They receive an extensive range of employment, cultural and leadership experiences. This includes mentoring and employment placements across all year groups. In addition, many pupils regularly take part in a range of clubs, such as myth mania and film club. These opportunities enhance their wider experiences effectively.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, some teachers do not consistently check on pupils' learning nor adapt their teaching well enough. As a result, some pupils do not build their knowledge well enough over time. The school should ensure that all teachers check what pupils know and remember across all subjects and use this to inform future learning.
• The school has not fully developed an effective strategy to support pupils who do not read widely and regularly in school and at home. This means that some pupils do not have opportunities to deepen their understanding of vocabulary across a broad range of texts. The school should develop and embed its reading strategy to carefully monitor and support pupils and parents and carers in engaging with regular and wider reading.
• The school does not ensure that it communicates sufficiently often and directly with pupils who have been absent for a long time. As a result, the school does not know enough about the welfare of these pupils when they are not attending school. The school should review its practice to ensure that it monitors pupils' absences robustly.

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