Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Parrs Wood High School on 16 May 2019, which was the first since the school was judged to be good in 2013. The inspection team, led by Ofsted inspectors, found that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing development. Recent improvements have been noted, particularly in the progress of disadvantaged pupils in English and mathematics.
Staff at the school express high levels of satisfaction, with nearly all staff feeling proud to work there and appreciating the support and training provided by leaders. Pupils enjoy being part of a diverse and caring community, valuing the guidance from teachers and the range of extracurricular activities available. Older students are particularly engaged in charitable efforts and community support.
Pupils feel heard and actively participate in leadership opportunities, such as the school council. Sixth-form students appreciate the exposure to various faiths and the support they receive for their future education and career paths. Parents and carers also express positive sentiments, with a significant majority recommending the school to others.
Governance is strong, with governors and trustees aware of areas needing improvement, such as historical underachievement in humanities and declining attendance in the sixth form. They actively monitor these issues and hold leaders accountable for performance. Safeguarding measures are effective, with staff trained to recognize and respond to concerns, ensuring vulnerable pupils receive necessary support.
The school fosters a respectful environment where bullying is rare, and incidents of discrimination are not tolerated. Pupils report feeling safe and learn about emotional health and safety issues, including the dangers of knife crime and social media. The inspection highlighted the need for further improvement in history and geography, where pupils have historically made less progress compared to their peers. Leaders have taken steps to stabilize staffing and enhance the curriculum in these subjects, leading to improvements in teaching quality.
The inspection also focused on behavior management support for disadvantaged pupils and those with English as an additional language. Teachers maintain high expectations for behavior, and pupils generally respond positively to the school's behavior systems. The school has seen a reduction in exclusions, particularly among disadvantaged pupils and those learning English as an additional language.
Concerns were raised regarding the decline in students choosing to study modern foreign languages at key stage four, despite strong performance in these subjects. Changes to the curriculum and careers guidance have been implemented to encourage more students to pursue language studies. Additionally, the inspection noted a decline in progress for some sixth-form students, particularly in certain subjects. Leaders are aware of attendance issues affecting progress and have strengthened monitoring systems to address this.
The inspection concluded with recommendations for leaders to ensure that teachers address gaps in knowledge in history and geography, reduce absence rates in the sixth form, and maintain high expectations for student achievement. Overall, the school demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its students.
