Castle Donington College, located in Derbyshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on June 18 and 19, 2024. Under the leadership of Principal Lisa Walton, the school is part of the East Midlands Educational Trust, which provides additional oversight and support. The trust is led by CEO Robert McDonough and overseen by a board of trustees chaired by Andrew Hindmarsh.
The school environment is characterized by polite, friendly, and outgoing pupils who generally feel happy and secure. A strong sense of community is evident, with students knowing that support is readily available from staff. The curriculum is ambitious, with high expectations for both achievement and behavior. The school’s motto, Work hard. Take responsibility. Be kind, encapsulates its educational philosophy. Most students meet these expectations and demonstrate good behavior, with a clear understanding of bullying and effective reporting mechanisms in place.
Castle Donington College offers numerous opportunities for personal development, including extracurricular activities such as clubs and trips. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program is well-established, and the curriculum promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural understanding. An active school council fosters leadership skills among students, and a comprehensive careers program ensures that Year 10 pupils gain work experience, preparing them for future educational and employment opportunities.
The school’s curriculum is broad and ambitious, allowing for a gradual and thorough understanding of subjects. For instance, in history, students begin with Medieval Africa, which lays a foundation for later studies on the slave trade. However, the proportion of students pursuing the English Baccalaureate is lower than government targets. To address this, the school is increasing the number of pupils taking modern foreign languages at GCSE, aiming to integrate the EBacc into the core curriculum.
Teachers at Castle Donington College possess strong subject knowledge and employ effective teaching methods. Nonetheless, there are instances where checks on student understanding could be improved, making it challenging for teachers to identify learning gaps. Recent specialist support has enhanced the provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring that most staff can adapt their teaching accordingly. However, some parents feel that their children do not receive adequate support, indicating a need for better communication regarding the assistance provided.
The school promotes a love of reading through daily initiatives encouraging students to read for pleasure. A dedicated program supports those struggling with reading, helping them become confident readers. While most students behave well, inconsistencies in the application of the behavior policy by staff can lead to minor disruptions in some lessons.
Attendance is closely monitored, with leaders providing support to students who need it. The school effectively promotes personal development through its curriculum and wider activities, covering various beliefs and cultures, as well as important topics like online safety.
Staff appreciate the support for their well-being, especially during a challenging period of leadership change. The trust has played a crucial role in facilitating improvements, and the school has made efforts to keep parents informed about changes. However, not all parents feel adequately informed about the school’s actions and their positive impacts.
The safeguarding arrangements at Castle Donington College are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all students. Moving forward, the school must enhance communication with parents, particularly regarding support for students with special educational needs, and ensure consistent application of assessment and behavior policies to further improve the learning environment.
