St Philip's School

Overview

The report states that pupils at St Philip’s are “happy and kept safe” and enjoy positive relationships with staff and peers. Leaders maintain high expectations, ensuring pupils study a “broad and varied curriculum” designed to prepare them for future education, employment, or training. The school is judged to be Good overall, with Personal development rated as Outstanding.

Strengths

• Leaders have developed “well-established, clear and appropriate routines” that help pupils behave well and understand expectations.
• The curriculum is “well sequenced” to help pupils embed key knowledge, with specific examples in science and art demonstrating effective teaching methods.
• There is an “exemplary” focus on developing pupils’ independence, including preparing them for independent travel and community involvement.
• Staff are “positive and proud” to work at the school and feel well supported in their professional development.
• Pupils benefit from extensive opportunities for personal development, such as visits to cultural venues and a residential trip to the Isle of Wight.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure teachers consistently check what pupils have learned before moving on to more complex ideas, as some pupils struggle without secured prior knowledge.
• Leaders should ensure pupils at the earlier stages of reading have increased, purposefully planned practice to build up reading fluency.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff trained to recognise signs of risk and leaders maintaining strong relationships with local partners to secure support for pupils.