Fairfield High School for Girls

Overview

Pupils achieve exceptionally well academically due to a well-designed curriculum delivered very effectively. Leaders maintain incredibly high expectations, fostering an environment characterised by ambition where most pupils feel safe, happy, and well-mannered. The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares pupils well for their next steps.

Strengths

• Teachers are subject experts who explain concepts clearly, helping pupils develop rich subject knowledge over time.
• Leaders prioritise reading with robust support strategies, including choral reading, to help pupils catch up and encourage wide reading.
• Excellent support is provided for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with needs quickly identified and teaching effectively adapted.
• A strong personal development curriculum teaches pupils about human rights, safety, and careers, raising aspirations through events like the ‘inspiring women’ programme.
• The school environment is calm and orderly, with pupils successfully managing their own behaviour and showing positive attitudes towards learning.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should take effective action to improve the attendance of some groups of pupils, including those with SEND, who do not attend as often as they should.
• Leaders must implement robust systems to deal with discriminatory language effectively, ensuring differences are respected and pupils have confidence that such issues will be addressed.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to identify risks and report concerns, and leaders working proactively with external agencies to support pupils.