Kirkbie Kendal School

Overview

This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, though inspectors noted that a graded inspection might yield a lower judgement. Pupils are ‘proud to attend’ and benefit from a ‘purposeful learning environment’ characterised by strong relationships and good behaviour. However, inconsistencies in curriculum design and assessment mean that ‘pupils’ learning is uneven’, limiting overall achievement.

Strengths

• Pupils value the ‘care and warmth’ from teachers, helping them feel ‘safe and happy’.
• Behaviour is typically well-managed, with lessons ‘rarely interrupted’ by others.
• Sixth-form students are ‘motivated’ and enjoy taking on responsibilities, such as supporting younger pupils with reading.
• The school has improved how it identifies and assesses pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Pupils are ‘prepared well for their next steps’ through useful careers guidance and personal development education.

Areas to improve

• The school must refine the curriculum in subjects where key knowledge and sequencing are not clearly identified.
• Support for older pupils who struggle to read is ‘underdeveloped’ and requires improvement to help them access the curriculum.
• Teachers need to use assessment strategies more effectively to identify and address ‘unaddressed gaps in pupils’ knowledge’.
• Monitoring of sixth-form attendance is insufficient, and barriers to learning are not being removed effectively.
• Pupils need deeper opportunities to understand fundamental British values and different faiths to better prepare for life in modern Britain.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.