Richmond School & Sixth Form College

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are "safe and happy" and benefit from "positive relationships with staff and their peers." Leaders have established a "calm, orderly and productive school environment" with a "well sequenced" curriculum that prepares students effectively for their next steps.

Strengths

• Sixth form provision is of a "strong standard," featuring "high-quality study programmes" and "highly effective teaching by subject experts."
• Pupils achieve well, with outcomes "typically close to national averages," and disadvantaged pupils achieve well compared to their peers nationally.
• There is a "rich personal development programme" offering extensive enrichment, including clubs, sports, and "thoughtful educational visits."
• Leaders have created an environment that "promotes independence," with sixth form students acting as "excellent role models" for younger pupils.
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure teachers "consistently make skilful adaptations" so that disadvantaged and SEND pupils "consistently achieve well."
• Leaders should continue work to "improve attendance and reduce persistent absence," particularly for disadvantaged and SEND pupils.
• Leaders should support pupils to "manage their emotions and resolve conflict" to reduce suspension rates.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and pupils are "made safer and feel safe."