Notley High School and Sixth Form

Strengths

• Highly effective leadership has driven rapid and substantial improvement.
• Inclusion is a major strength, with personalised support for disadvantaged pupils and those with barriers to learning.
• Pupils feel happy, safe and welcome in a caring school culture.
• Safeguarding arrangements meet requirements and pupils feel safe.
• Attendance has improved and is now close to national averages.
• Behaviour is calm and purposeful, with clear rules and consistent application.
• The curriculum is broad, carefully ordered and engaging.
• Reading, numeracy and handwriting interventions are highly effective.
• The personal development programme prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain.
• Careers education and guidance are comprehensive and help pupils make informed choices.
• Sixth-form students are highly positive and benefit from strong support.
• Staff are highly positive about working at the school and receive high-quality professional development.
• Trustees and governors provide effective challenge and support.
• Parents are typically very positive, and the school is oversubscribed in Years 7 and 8.
• Pupils access a wide range of clubs, trips and enrichment opportunities.

Areas for Improvement

• Achievement remains at the expected standard rather than strong, with outcomes generally in line with national averages.
• Leaders should further ensure high-quality learning experiences across the curriculum so pupils achieve highly in national examinations and tests.
• Assessment is not yet used sharply enough to identify opportunities to accelerate pupils’ progress or deepen their understanding.
• Pupils need more opportunities to develop independence, self-motivation and resilience.
• Pupil leadership opportunities do not yet have a high profile in school.
• A-level average point score was below the national average in 2024/25.
• GCSE English and maths grade 5 or above outcomes remain below national averages, though close.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools