Windsor Girls' School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 May 2024

Pupils are welcome into this inclusive and friendly school. They celebrate each other's identity and individuality. The school promotes equality and diversity. Pupils celebrate world culture day and national recognition days. These wider opportunities help pupils prepare for modern life in Britain. The school has begun to raise its expectations of pupils' conduct. Pupils recognise that behaviour is better than it was previously. Relationships between pupils and staff are becoming more positive due to the 'respect' approach that staff use. Pupils enjoy collecting reward points for demonstrating the school's values. However, there are inconsistencies in pupils' attitudes to their learning and how well some pupils focus during lessons. This is having an impact on how effectively pupils learn. Pupils know that staff want them to work hard, but not all pupils get the help they need to meet the school's raised expectations for behaviour. In addition, too many pupils are often absent from school, meaning they miss out on their important education. Many pupils enjoy their learning and appreciate the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. Some pupils participate in the performing arts, such as musicals, dance and choir as well as sporting clubs. Responsibilities, such as being school councillors and ambassadors, help pupils play an active role in the life of the school.

What the school should improve

• There are inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is planned and implemented, across different subjects and key stages. These inconsistencies mean that pupils do not always achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that the curriculum is planned and delivered consistently well in every subject.
• Pupils across the school are not yet attending school as regularly as they should. The rates of absence remain persistently high for some pupils. As a result, they are missing out on vital learning. The school and trust should maintain a sharp focus on reducing rates of absence. They must continue to devise and persist with effective strategies that secure sustained improvement in pupils' attendance.
• Pupils' attitudes to learning are not yet consistently positive across the school. Some pupils lack confidence in what they can achieve and in their ability to do well. They do not always engage as well as they should in learning in lessons. The school should ensure that there is a consistent and coherent approach to ensure pupils have a positive attitude to their learning.

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