Improving school receives Good rating from inspectors

An improving Wolverhampton secondary school has been rated Good across the board by Ofsted, with inspectors praising staff who 'go the extra mile' to help pupils.

Ofsted visited The King’s CE School in November and, in its report published today (Monday 16 January, 2023), judged provision to be Good in all six inspection areas – overall effectiveness, the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.

Inspectors found that leaders have ‘high expectations for pupils and staff alike’, and have ensured that there is a well-planned curriculum which is broad and ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Pupils learn well, concentrating in lessons and taking pride in their work. Leaders have made reading a priority and created a positive reading culture at The King’s.

Staff 'go the extra mile' to help pupils, supporting those who are new to the school well so that they settle in quickly and preparing pupils, including those in the sixth form, well for the next stage in their education.

Leaders demonstrate 'a strong commitment to the day-to-day improvement of the school' and they and the governors 'are sharply focused on improving the quality of learning further'.

Pupils develop a sound understanding of personal safety, relationships and citizenship as part of a well-planned programme, and the school’s values of empathy, respect, responsibility and forgiveness 'underpin their personal development effectively'. Pupils behave well in class and at social times, with the school described as 'calm and orderly' by inspectors.

Pupils have a wide range of opportunities to take responsibility and to demonstrate leadership, for instance by taking on roles as school councillors or mental health first aiders, and benefit from a good range of extra-curricular activities including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective and pupils know that there is always someone to talk to. Staff 'provide an exceptional quality of pastoral care' and pupils 'recognise how well staff care for them and feel safe at school'.

The Tettenhall school’s recently appointed Vice Principal Ed Parry said: “The King’s is a school where pupils are given the confidence to flourish in a multi-faith community because of our distinct Christian values.

“We believe in setting high standards for everyone connected to the school through our motto of ‘Aspire, Believe and Achieve Together’. All pupils at The King’s benefit greatly from our excellent resources and facilities. Our swimming pool, sports centre, technology suites, innovative learning spaces and lecture theatre are second to none. These, along with the excellent relationships that exist between all members of the school community, are what make our school an exceptional place in which to learn.

“Our school values underpin everything we do here at The King’s, and we would welcome anyone that wishes to visit us and experience our school first hand."

Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said: "The King’s has been on a journey of significant improvement with the support of the council in recent years, after being judged inadequate and requiring improvement in 2017 and 2018 respectively – and this report is testament to the hard work and dedication of leaders, governors, staff and pupils. "But it is clear that they are not content to rest on their laurels, with inspectors highlighting a commitment to improving the school and the quality of learning still further which can only be excellent news for everyone at The King’s, both now and in years to come."

As well as Ofsted success, The King’s was officially judged to be an Excellent Church of England school following a SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection last year. It evaluated how effective the school’s distinctive Christian vision is in enabling pupils and adults to flourish. The school received an overall grade of Excellent, with both the impact of collective worship and the effectiveness of religious education (RE) judged to be Excellent.

Pupils joined Vice Principal Ed Parry, Assistant Principal Nurinder Kaur and Councillor Chris Burdon, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, to celebrate the King's CE School's Good Ofsted rating.