Roundhay School, located in Leeds, West Yorkshire, has recently undergone an inspection that reaffirmed its status as an outstanding educational institution. The inspection, conducted on 28 and 29 November 2023, highlighted the school's exceptional quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, early years provision, and sixth-form provision. The school has maintained its outstanding rating since its last inspection in November 2013, prior to which it was exempt from routine inspections due to its high standards.
Pupils at Roundhay School thrive both academically and personally, benefiting from a supportive environment where staff know each student individually. The commitment of the staff to provide exceptional support extends to advocating for pupils and their families with external agencies. High attendance rates reflect the enjoyment pupils find in attending school, and they consistently achieve excellent results in external examinations.
The school community is diverse, and the personal development program effectively fosters understanding and respect among pupils. Initiatives led by pupil groups, such as creating videos to educate peers about sensitive topics related to faith, sexuality, and culture, demonstrate the school's commitment to inclusivity. Pupils embody the school's aspiration of being responsible, resilient, and ready to learn, consistently displaying these values in their actions. Most pupils exhibit exemplary behavior in lessons and throughout the school, with those facing challenges receiving effective support to help them succeed.
Roundhay School places a strong emphasis on literacy, ensuring that all pupils learn to read with precision and fluency from an early age. Phonics instruction begins in Reception, leading to nearly all pupils reading confidently by the end of Year 2. The focus on reading continues throughout the primary and secondary phases, with extensive staff development ensuring teachers maximize the learning potential of each text encountered by pupils. The curriculum is carefully designed, with high expectations for what pupils should know and be able to do at each educational stage.
In the early years, staff establish routines and foundations that prepare children for future learning. The school adopts a proactive approach to supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring that individual learning needs are identified and addressed. This commitment extends to the sixth form, where students receive guidance and support to prepare for their future, with many progressing to higher education, including prestigious universities.
Pupils' behavior is commendable, with clear expectations outlined in the school's Kindness Charter. The systems in place for rewarding positive behavior and addressing negative actions are straightforward and consistently applied. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, with a commitment to ensuring all pupils can participate. Currently, a significant majority of pupils engage in at least one club each week.
Governors play an active role in understanding the school's strengths and areas for improvement, providing effective challenge to leaders to promote continuous development. The leadership team is dedicated to supporting every pupil and staff member, actively seeking ways to manage workload and well-being. Staff express pride in being part of this exceptional school.
The safeguarding arrangements at Roundhay School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Overall, the inspection confirmed that Roundhay School continues to provide an outstanding education, fostering a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where pupils can excel academically and personally.
