Silcoates School SMASHES Inspection with Flying Colours

pupils reach their academic and personal potential and develop an appropriate range of skills as well as pursuing their individual interests and talents

leaders fulfil the school’s aims through their nurturing and pro-active pastoral care, and provision of a balanced curriculum and wide range of extra-curricular activities

leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the school

teachers take considerable care to support individuals in their work

pupils are confident learners and understand how to meet examination requirements

effective marking and feedback strategies are consistently used throughout the school, and pupils know how to improve their work

in English lessons in senior and junior schools, well-planned and thought provoking activities allow pupils to interpret and respond to texts effectively

across the wider curriculum, pupils listen attentively and speak confidently when in lessons or performing in public

pupil’s mathematical skills are well developed as a result of a systematic process of reinforcing their factual recall and opportunities to apply their skills

leaders promote a culture in which pupils respect each other through the provision of a planned and well-implemented personal development curriculum

safeguarding procedures are rigorous and children are well cared for within a safe and happy environment

educational visits stimulate pupils’ sense of awe and wonder

the more practical subjects effectively develop aesthetic and creative skills where guidance allows individual talents to develop and flourish

leaders have resourced the department to ensure that all pupils with SEND are supported with well-planned interventions and make good progress. Their support is personalised and they achieve higher levels of success as a result

older pupils with responsibilities, such as the heads of school and houses, spoke of their individual success with pride, stating that the school’s supportive and nurturing environment has allowed pupils to fulfil and surpass their ambitions

the sense of fairness across the school and unconditional respect ‘is part of who we are’

all pupils have access to all sporting activities offered by the school