Canon Slade School, located in Bolton, Lancashire, underwent an inspection on 15 and 16 October 2024, resulting in a commendable rating of good across all key areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. The headteacher, Karen Sudworth, leads the school, which is part of The Bishop Fraser Trust, overseen by CEO Tuesday Humby and chaired by Lesley Durosomo.
The school fosters positive relationships and mutual respect, creating an environment where students feel known and understood. This supportive atmosphere contributes to students' happiness and engagement in their education. Sixth-form students highlighted the strong pastoral support as a significant factor in their decision to continue their studies at Canon Slade. The school promotes a culture of hard work and high aspirations, encouraging pupils to engage actively in lessons with minimal disruption.
Students have access to a variety of extracurricular activities, allowing them to explore new interests during lunchtime. The sixth formers also participate in the school's ambassador award, which involves leading assemblies and organizing clubs for younger pupils. The school has made significant strides in improving educational quality, with most pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, meeting high academic expectations.
Canon Slade offers a broad and ambitious curriculum, including subjects like Latin and geology. Although the percentage of pupils studying the English Baccalaureate is below the national average, the school is actively working to address this by promoting modern foreign languages and providing cultural learning opportunities. The curriculum is well-structured, allowing for logical progression from Year 7 to Year 13. Staff utilize their subject knowledge and enthusiasm to inspire students, designing activities that connect new concepts to prior knowledge. Training for staff has been prioritized to support pupils with special educational needs effectively, resulting in high achievement for these students alongside their peers.
While the school has established consistent learning routines, some staff members do not effectively use assessment strategies to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge. This can lead to misconceptions or unaddressed gaps in understanding, particularly among sixth-form students. The school is proactive in identifying additional needs and provides support through its inclusion hub, which includes emotional well-being initiatives, such as time with the school dog, Hugo.
The approach to supporting pupils struggling with reading is robust, with quick identification of gaps and effective interventions to promote confident and fluent reading. Pupils generally exhibit courteous behaviour throughout the school, and staff are skilled in managing those who may not meet behaviour expectations. Attendance rates are high, reflecting students' positive attitudes towards school.
The school excels in personal development, offering a comprehensive lecture program for sixth-form students that covers various relevant topics. Pupil leaders play a vital role in educating their peers about important issues, such as anti-racism. The school emphasizes raising aspirations through a well-integrated careers program, providing students with valuable insights into various industries and career paths.
Staff feel supported during a period of change, with recent adjustments to feedback policies helping to reduce workload. The trust has strengthened governance structures to ensure comprehensive oversight of the school. Leaders are proud of the improvements made since the last inspection and are committed to further enhancing the quality of education provided. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Overall, Canon Slade School demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive and high-quality educational experience for its students.
