Poltair School

Overview

Poltair School is judged as ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Outstanding’ ratings for behaviour, personal development, and leadership. The report highlights a school with “high expectations” and “warm and respectful relationships” that successfully prepares pupils for their future through an ambitious curriculum and strong pastoral care.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “exemplary” behaviour and a culture of “mutual respect,” with unkindness dealt with “swiftly and supportively.”
• The curriculum is “broad and carefully designed,” ensuring pupils, including those with SEND, are “well prepared for their next steps.”
• Personal development is supported by “exceptionally strong pastoral care,” including the ‘Poltair+’ programme and initiatives like ‘The Great Debate’.
• Staff are described as “experts in their subjects” who present information clearly, resulting in “strong” published outcomes in nearly all subjects.
• Attendance is treated as “everyone’s business,” with effective action taken to remove barriers and support families.

Areas to improve

• In “a few areas,” curriculum implementation is inconsistent; activities do not always help pupils “remember important information” or “deepen their thinking.”
• The trust must ensure teachers are supported to “consistently implement the curriculum as intended” so pupils know and remember more in all subjects.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”