Ada Lovelace Church of England High School in Ealing, London, received an outstanding overall effectiveness rating during its inspection on January 11 and 12, 2023. The school has high expectations for academic achievement and provides strong support for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Parents and carers generally view the school as well-organized, with effective communication from the leadership team. Pupils typically enjoy their time at school, demonstrating sensible behavior and self-reliance in their learning. Teachers motivate students to aspire to high goals, ensuring a safe environment where incidents of bullying are addressed promptly.
The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports such as rowing and cricket, as well as participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. The uptake of these activities is notably high among pupils. The school also provides impartial careers guidance, helping Year 10 students secure appropriate work experience opportunities. The curriculum is designed to be broad, balanced, and ambitious, with some subjects exceeding national curriculum expectations. The computer science curriculum is particularly ambitious, allowing pupils to learn multiple programming languages and study ethics.
Subject leaders have a clear vision for the curriculum, breaking it down into manageable steps to ensure all pupils can achieve high standards. For instance, in English, pupils progress from studying persuasive writing in Year 7 to exploring rhetoric and speech writing in Year 9, effectively preparing them for future academic challenges. Teachers closely monitor pupils' understanding, ensuring that learning objectives are met.
The school excels in supporting pupils with special educational needs, providing tailored assistance in both classroom settings and the wider curriculum. Pupils who struggle with reading receive targeted help to improve their fluency and confidence. The school maintains a focus on monitoring reading progress to prevent any pupils from falling behind.
Pupils are generally attentive and hardworking, with established routines that minimize wasted time. Movement between lessons is calm and orderly, although a small number of pupils occasionally struggle with respectful behavior towards peers. The leadership team is actively addressing these issues to foster a positive school culture.
The school encourages kindness and consideration among pupils, with high-quality extracurricular activities available. Staff actively promote participation in these activities and ensure that pupils engage regularly. Contributions to the school community are encouraged through initiatives like the school council and charity fundraising efforts.
The local governing body effectively collaborates with trust leaders, holding them accountable for their actions. Leaders are approachable and attentive to staff well-being, resulting in high levels of professional satisfaction among teachers. Staff meetings are scheduled during the school day to reduce after-hours workload, and additional professional development sessions are provided.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with experienced leaders overseeing the processes for identifying at-risk pupils. Strong relationships with local agencies enhance the safeguarding framework, and all staff receive regular training to recognize and report concerns. Pupils are educated on personal safety and know whom to approach with any issues.
Overall, Ada Lovelace Church of England High School demonstrates a commitment to excellence in education, fostering a supportive and ambitious environment for all pupils. The school’s leadership, curriculum design, and dedication to pupil well-being contribute to its outstanding rating.
