School report

Holme Lane, Cross Hills, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 7RL

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

• The achievement of all groups of students is outstanding. In the main school, students make exceptional progress in their studies and reach well above average, and on occasion, exceptionally high standards in academic and vocational subjects by the time they leave. As a result, they are extremely well-prepared for the next stage in their education or for the world of work.

• The excellent curriculum is under continuous review and is designed to meet the needs of individuals. The school is proud to celebrate the legacy of engineering and technology status and all students continue to follow a technology subject in Key Stage 4.

• There is a rich range of academic and vocational programmes in the outstanding sixth form. Students feel valued as individuals and say that the school does all it can to prepare them for the rigours of sixth-form study.

• Students receive outstanding support and guidance during their courses and when they are applying for jobs or for courses in further and higher education. Increasing numbers are entering prestigious universities and former students often come back to school to talk about their experiences or even to take up positions on the staff.

• Comments such as,‘ The whole school is united’ and‘ We recognise individual successes’ demonstrate how very proud students are of their school. They are happy in school and feel safe. Behaviour in lessons and around school is outstanding and students are very keen to learn.

• An overriding emphasis on improving teaching and sharing exemplary practice with and across departments has led to outstanding teaching in all areas of the school. Teachers are working hard to develop questioning further and to ensure that students have sufficient opportunities to take stock of the feedback they receive from their teachers.

• Leadership and management are outstanding. The exceptionally well-informed headteacher and senior team lead by example and their vision for how the school is to move forward is shared by all staff. Subject and pastoral leaders take full responsibility for their areas.

• Governors support the school very well, yet hold leaders to account with rigour. South Craven is a‘ thinking’ school, in which there is no complacency and in which performance is always under review. It is an inclusive school in which the academic and personal welfare of each individual student comes first.