Inspection report: South Craven School, 12 – 13 March 2013 6 of 9
and unerringly accurate. The school has changed its early examination entry policy to ensure that all students reach the standards of which they are capable. Heads of subject departments and pastoral areas speak with one voice about, in their words,‘ The approachable and supportive senior leadership team, which has an‘ open-door’ policy but which holds us to continuous account.’ Without doubt, these middle leaders feel empowered to develop the areas for which they are responsible and value the many opportunities they have to share good and outstanding practice with colleagues across the school.
• The curriculum is outstanding and its impact on students’ enjoyment of learning and on their academic and personal achievement is continuously under review. Parents, including those who have disabled children or children with special educational needs cannot speak highly enough about how it is modified to meet the individual needs of their children. Students in particular are delighted with the excellent opportunities they have to follow such a wide range of vocational courses.
• Child-protection and safeguarding policies and practice fully meet current requirements. The school promotes equality of opportunity outstandingly well and has a‘ zero tolerance’ approach to all forms of discrimination.
• The school values the support it receives as a result of its membership of the Red Kite Alliance.
• The governance of the school: Governance is outstanding. Members of the governing body have an exceptional awareness of the school’ s strengths and areas for development and keep fully up to date with their responsibilities by attending relevant training. They hold senior leaders to account for performance in all areas of school life with the utmost rigour and ask searching questions of all members of staff directly responsible to them. They ensure that performance management procedures are both rigorous and fair and that they reward staff only if classroom targets in relation to students’ progress are met. Governors also monitor regularly the impact on students’ achievement of pupil premium spending and are actively involved, often through visits to lessons, in the school’ s on-going emphasis on further improving the quality of teaching and learning. They are regular visitors to school and take a keen interest in the dayto-day running of South Craven. Their support and guidance are valued and trusted by staff at all levels of responsibility.