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Estyn November 2024

Fitzalan High School provides its pupils with a highly caring, nurturing and inclusive environment. It is particularly effective in establishing a culture that celebrates its notably diverse community. This helps to foster positive attitudes towards diversity, equity and the understanding of different cultures and backgrounds.

 

Teaching and Learning

Purposeful and productive relationships between pupils and staff are a prominent feature of the school. Teachers have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and create a calm, purposeful learning environment that enables all pupils to maximise their potential.

 

The way in which the school adapts its curriculum to meet the individual needs of its pupils is a significant strength. Leaders review and evaluate all aspects of the curriculum thoroughly, using a wide range of evidence and make thoughtful and timely amendments to their provision. This has a notably positive impact on pupils’ engagement, well-being and achievement.

Estyn Spotlight- Creating a reading culture

Estyn Best Practice Case Study- Provision to develop pupils’ understanding of histories, stories and contributions of black, Asian and minority ethnic people

 

Well-being, Care, Support and Guidance

There is a strong culture of mutual respect and understanding reflecting the school’s ethos of being ‘Ready to Learn, Respectful and Safe’. This is underpinned by a determination to identify and remove any barriers preventing pupils from developing as effective learners. This determination permeates the care support and guidance pupils receive.

 

The school supports pupils’ understanding of diversity and inclusion and how to challenge negative stereotypes and attitudes, highly effectively. A valuable programme for pastoral lessons and form time supports pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Pupils benefit from an extensive range of provision to support their personal development. This includes a comprehensive personal and social education programme, extensive extra-curricular activities and a wide range of opportunities to take on leadership roles. Pupil leadership is a notable strength of the school.

Estyn Spotlight- Tailored provision for vulnerable pupils

 

Leading and Improving

The acting headteacher offers assured and compassionate leadership which takes good account of the well-being of the whole school community. He has a clear and well-understood vision that underpins the school's ambition of ‘learning together to be the best we can be’. He works determinedly with his team to remove barriers to pupils’ learning and secure an inclusive community in which all pupils have the opportunity to excel.

Senior leaders have created a culture of high accountability that contributes significantly to the school’s effectiveness.

Leaders take a considered and comprehensive approach to addressing national priorities, such as implementing Curriculum for Wales, the ALNET Act, alleviating the impact of poverty, and promoting the Welsh language.

 

Estyn Best Practice Case Study: Leadership- securing accountability

Estyn Best Practice Case Study: Professional learning to develop middle leadership