Avanti Grange Secondary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This school is an exceptionally positive community. Pupils value each other, staff and the high-quality education they receive. Pupils live the 'Avanti way' by being compassionate, articulate and respectful 'changemakers'.

They learn these characteristics effectively through the school's rich, ambitious curriculum. As one pupil noted, reflecting the view of many, 'The school makes you the best person you could want to be.'

Pupils behave impeccably and have excellent attitudes to learning.

Staff teach pupils the importance of studying hard. Pupils benefit from engaging learning opportunities which spark their interests. Pupils relish the challenge of learning... new ideas, safe in the knowledge that teachers will help them if they need it.

Pupils successfully meet the very high expectations of achievement that the school has for them.

The school's strong emphasis on well-being means pupils access a range of high-quality support. Pupils value the help and guidance they get from staff to manage their mental health.

This includes the strategies pupils learn from yoga and meditation.

The school's work to develop pupils beyond their academic studies is outstanding. A vast array of meticulously designed experiences beyond the classroom expertly develop pupils' confidence and character and take them beyond their everyday lives.

For example, pupils benefit from trips, leadership opportunities, charity work and clubs.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Since the school opened in 2022, it has carefully created a curriculum that not only builds pupils' knowledge and understanding but prepares pupils incredibly well for their next steps and future study. The ambitious curriculum covers a range of academic subjects, which includes philosophy, ethics, religious education and yoga.

In the specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (specially resourced provision), staff ably support pupils in accessing a curriculum suited to their needs and aspirations.

Each subject is carefully sequenced to enable pupils to build their knowledge and understanding as they progress through the school. Key foundational learning and vocabulary are reinforced through robust subject links.

For instance, in art and design, pupils build on their literacy while learning important art knowledge.

Expert staff ensure the curriculum is taught well. Classrooms buzz with enthusiasm because teachers make learning purposeful and accessible.

Checks on learning are a further strength of the school. These checks help staff quickly spot if pupils need extra support or encouragement to do well. As a result, pupils make excellent progress from their starting points.

Pupils meet a wide range of books and texts. Across the school, pupils enjoy reading individually or with their form through the 'Avanti Grange Reads' programme. Reading ability is not a barrier to learning as staff spot weaker readers and help them catch up with their peers.

The school accurately identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff use this information well to help these pupils make great strides with their learning. In addition, effective pastoral support and care enable pupils with SEND to thrive.

Clear, fair behaviour routines enable pupils to know exactly what is expected of them and when. In the very few instances of poor behaviour, teachers and pupils reflect on what went wrong, so it rarely happens again. These systems, combined with the school's excellent approach to character development, mean lessons proceed without interruption.

Pupils live up to the school's very high expectations of behaviour, which creates a positive school community.

The success of the school can be linked to how the personal development programme is woven through school life. High-quality careers advice and guidance help to raise pupils' aspirations.

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education lessons closely link to the philosophy, ethics and safeguarding curriculum. Pupils excel as they have the knowledge to confidently debate and discuss important issues and topics.

Parents, pupils and staff are highly supportive of the school's values.

Supported by the trust, high-quality training ensures that staff understand and implement the school's vision, curriculum and systems well. While leaders share the school's areas of excellence with others, they continually seek to further improve on the exceptional offer they already provide.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.