Kenton School Ofsted Inspection report 2009 - Highlights
Overall effectiveness of the school: Outstanding
This is an outstanding school where students’ personal development is excellent. Their academic achievement is good and often exceptional.
There are many reasons why the school is so successful, including the outstanding curriculum, the highly effective support students receive and the drive and ambition of the leadership team. The excellent relationship between staff and students leads to an environment of high expectation and mutual trust. One student expressed a view that was typical of many by saying: teachers are “amazing” and are always on hand to provide help, support, and advice.
Students’…enthusiasm for learning is harnessed by teachers and results in good achievement in many subjects. The new building provides a fantastic range of first-rate resources.
The school [has] an outstanding curriculum. Parents are overwhelmingly positive in the comments they make about the support their children receive. Students explain very clearly why the school motto “all different, all equal” is important to them and how it is translated into action.
Most lessons are good and many are outstanding. Teachers work hard to engage and motivate students; this…results in mature and business-like behaviour in lessons. Parents and students receive very effective guidance about what progress they are making.
The leadership of the headteacher and senior management team is outstanding. Despite the large size of the school it maintains a family atmosphere…treating every student as an individual.
Effectiveness of the sixth form: Outstanding
Students of all backgrounds and abilities are welcomed and offered an outstanding curriculum that has an excellent balance of both academic and vocational programmes. The sixth form has grown considerably because an increasingly high proportion of Year 11 students choose to continue their studies at the school. One student summed up the views of many by saying, “It’s pointless going anywhere else because the school offers everything we need.” Students particularly appreciate the excellent support and guidance they are given and say that there is a good balance of teacher-directed and independent learning. Teaching is usually good and much is outstanding.
Very good links have been established with universities including Oxbridge, local universities and colleges and those further a field.
The sixth form has grown and improved significantly as a result of excellent leadership and management…Relationships between staff and students are excellent. Tracking of individual progress…ensures students are well aware of what they need to do to succeed.
Personal development and well-being: Outstanding
Students express themselves freely and confidently and say they enjoy coming to school and are proud to be students at Kenton. They behave well in lessons. Serious bullying and racial incidents are rare…Students recognise the importance of regular attendance and the number of students who are frequently absent has reduced significantly.
Learners say they feel safe around school … Students take part in a wide range of activities that promote healthy lifestyles. Students…say the school is a harmonious community where all are treated fairly and with respect.
Teaching and learning: Good
Teaching and learning are good and lessons…have outstanding features. Teachers…use a wide range of activities to promote enjoyment and move students on at a good pace. Students are…attentive and work hard.
Curriculum: Outstanding
The school has enhanced its already outstanding curriculum [with] a very wide variety of vocational as well as academic courses that are well matched to…individual needs.
A…strength of the school is the extensive range of extra-curricular activities in which a large number of students participate.
Care, guidance and support: Outstanding
Kenton…is a very large school that maintains a very caring environment. Pupils are extremely well supported. Robust systems… inform and guide students and parents about… progress. Students are very appreciative of the support they receive from.
Leadership and management: Outstanding
Leadership and management is outstanding.
Equality of opportunity is at the heart of everything this school does.
Kenton School OFSTED Report 2009 (257Kb)
