The Fountains High School

Overview

The report describes a school where staff “go the extra mile to care for pupils,” resulting in happy students who enjoy attending. Leaders maintain high expectations, and the curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for adult life, with all leavers progressing to education, employment, or training.

Strengths

• Relationships between staff and pupils are “excellent,” with teachers who “listen to you and respect you.”
• Staff effectively support pupils to manage emotions using the ‘zones of regulation,’ helping lessons run smoothly.
• Most pupils are developing into “fluent, confident readers” through effective programmes and reading for pleasure.
• Sixth-form students are well prepared for work, engaging in valued placements and community projects like “The Potting Shed.”
• Staff appreciate leadership support for their workload and well-being, and value professional development opportunities.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure the curriculum in all subjects is “well planned and implemented” so pupils develop necessary knowledge and skills.
• Trustees should ensure leaders’ responsibilities and lines of accountability are “more clearly defined” to improve evaluative checks.
• Trustees should support governors to gain the knowledge needed to “successfully hold leaders to account.”

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff reporting concerns immediately and pupils taught how to keep themselves safe, including online.