Whitby School

Overview

The report states that pupils experience a "variable quality of education," with strong learning in some subjects not consistently replicated in others. While the curriculum is increasingly ambitious, its intentions are "not fully realised in pupils’ experiences in lessons." The school is undergoing significant change, including an upcoming amalgamation, which has affected the pace of improvement.

Strengths

• Sixth-form students experience a "well-designed curriculum" and "achieve well."
• Staff build "positive relationships with pupils" and generally behave well in lessons.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the same curriculum and receive "carefully considered support."
• Leaders have mapped out important knowledge in "clear and logical ways," such as teaching key vocabulary in English.
• The school teaches pupils about safety risks, including those specific to a coastal town.

Areas to improve

• Assessment tasks are sometimes "too simple" and do not identify pupils’ deep understanding of complex ideas well enough.
• Behaviour outside of lessons is "less orderly," with concerns persisting regarding issues such as vaping in toilets.
• Rates of absence remain "too high," despite some evidence of improvement for certain groups.
• Pupils’ understanding of fundamental British values is "not strong enough," and some do not show consistent respect for protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," though the school needs to track and act upon behaviour concerns more closely to address emerging issues such as bullying.