Avanti House School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The community at Avanti House School work together to inspire pupils to be 'spiritually compassionate changemakers'. This vision is fulfilled through an ethos of high expectations and mutual respect. Pupils behave impeccably, and lessons are undisturbed.

There is a palpable love of learning. Pupils are tenacious in the face of challenge. Their commitment to their learning is unwavering.

Pupils perform exceptionally well, in their work across subjects, and in national assessments at the end of their time at school.

The school virtues of respect, self-discipline, courage, integrity, empathy and gratitude are woven through the curriculum. For example, opportunit...ies for affirmations and meditation underpin the rhythm of the school day.

These support pupils to apply their religious values and encourage self-reflection. There are a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including filmmaking, cricket and chess. Pupils, including sixth formers, take pride in their leadership roles as form captains, prefects and mentors.

There is a sense of joy around the school, which is seen in pupils' interactions with each other and with staff. The school eats communally, and pupils can use the extensive space outside to play games, walk with friends or study. Pupils are kept safe and know how to raise concerns if they need to.

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

The curriculum pupils learn is ambitious, engaging and extends beyond what is expected nationally. Teachers are given precise clarity about what to teach. This means that pupils can swiftly secure the most important concepts and broaden their learning.

For example, in mathematics, pupils secure their understanding of algebra before having opportunity to complete additional qualifications. Similarly, in art and design, pupils develop foundational skills using different media before progressing to photography, advanced digital art and graphics. Beginning in Year 7, all pupils have Sanskrit, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, and yoga as part of their timetable.

This supports pupils to further deepen their understanding in modern and ancient languages, humanities, as well as in dance, respectively.

Teachers have extensive subject expertise, which supports them to present new knowledge clearly. The school has shared teacher 'habits', which creates a consistent approach across lessons.

For example, teachers use questioning and feedback to skilfully help pupils, including those in the sixth form, to cement new learning. Teachers check how well pupils learn important concepts. They make sure that pupils have opportunities to consolidate learning, through 'feedforward' questions, for example.

As a result, pupils make strong progress across the curriculum.

Reading is prioritised across the school. The school identifies readily the pupils that need the most help to catch up with their reading.

Opportunities for reading are frequent across the school day. The school's actions support a reading culture to flourish.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported excellently at the school.

The school identifies carefully pupils' needs so that their individual support plans provide clear guidance for teachers. Pupils speak about their needs with confidence and how their peers and staff can get alongside them best. This means that teachers can help pupils through their teaching, using bespoke approaches when needed.

Pupils with SEND achieve very well over their time at school through effective teaching, high aspirations and a culture of support.

Pupils behave excellently. They are taught how to respect and value themselves and others.

This means that pupils are polite and highly motivated to achieve, and they display resilience in their endeavours.

Pupils benefit from excellent careers provision. This includes access to apprenticeship providers, visitors and a programme of 'retreats' to help pupils to explore future options.

Students in the sixth form are supported to explore a range of future destinations and careers, including law, dentistry, degree apprenticeships and applications to a range of universities.

Pupil leadership is thriving, providing opportunities for pupils in all year groups to serve the school community, for example through setting up a student newspaper. Sixth-form students play a key role in the life of the school.

For example, they organise festival days, lead collective worship sessions, and run whole-school initiatives where every member of the student community undertakes a good act.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive in their support of the school. They value the academic rigour coupled with the pastoral care offered to their children.

The school works with alumni to maintain connections with the community, and to provide a network of role models for younger pupils. Trustees and the school stakeholder committee are ambitious for pupils' futures as 'changemakers' and work with the school to serve pupils' best interests.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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