Main Findings:

What the school does well

When pupils enter the school, their standards are below the national average, but when they leave, the standards are at the national average in all subjects.

Standards of attainment in information-technology are above average across the school.

Pupils make good progress as they go through the school.

The curriculum provided is good, with very good provision of extra-curricular activities and careers education.

Pupils' personal development is very good. It is well-supported by the guidance provided by tutors and heads of year.

There is very good educational leadership provided by the headteacher, the teachers who manage the school and the governing body.

The school manages it resources well, and is providing good value for money.

Where the school has weaknesses

The assessment and checking of pupils' progress needs further development.

A wider use of planned classroom observation is needed to raise the quality of teaching and learning even more.

The development of the management of provision for pupils with special educational needs requires further work.

The school does not provide a daily act of collective worship as required by the law.

The strengths of the school far outweigh any weaknesses. Where weaknesses are identified they are already recognised by the school, and long-term developments are being put in hand to deal with them.