Young people “thrive at ambitious and inclusive” Solihull Secondary School, says Ofsted

A Solihull secondary school has been praised by Ofsted for having “thriving” learners at the “ambitious and inclusive” school.

Lyndon School in Solihull has been judged by Ofsted to be working at a strong standard in all six areas of its latest inspection. They found an “ambitious and highly inclusive school", where young people feel warmly welcomed, are known as individuals and achieve very well whatever their background or starting point. Ofsted no longer issues single-word overall judgements. Schools are now assessed across a five-point scale from ‘exceptional’ to ‘urgent improvement’, with ‘expected standard’ the benchmark for a high-performing school.

Learners at Lyndon make significantly more progress than similar young people nationally, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and disabilities. Inspectors called the school's work on inclusion "a significant strength" that threads through everything it does. Barriers to learning or wellbeing are picked up as soon as young people start, staff are given precise guidance on how to help, and that support is reviewed and adjusted regularly. 

Funding for disadvantaged learners is spent on approaches backed by sound research, and leaders check that every young person is taking part in the school's wider offer, not just keeping up in lessons. That wider offer is set out in the Lyndon Learner Journey, which takes in theatre visits, a trip to Bletchley Park, a debating club, the Brilliant Club and university taster days. Careers guidance helps learners aim high, and the school supports them very effectively to secure places at quality destinations after Year 11.

Attendance is very high and above the national average. Inspectors saw calm, purposeful lessons and noted the respect young people show each other and the adults around them, with bullying and discrimination very rare. Staff also told inspectors they are overwhelmingly proud to work at Lyndon. The report also highlights how well school leaders and Summit Learning Trust work together to review every part of the school's work and keep improving.

Syreeta Kapswara, Head of School at Lyndon School, said: "This report is a reflection of our young people and the effort they put in every single day. 

“What pleases me most is that inspectors saw how every learner here, whatever their background or the barriers they face, gets the same high expectations and the same chances to succeed. Our staff work incredibly hard to know each young person as an individual, and the Lyndon Learner Journey means their experience goes well beyond the classroom. To be recognised as strong in every area is something the whole school community should be very proud of, and we'll keep pushing to make Lyndon even better."

Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust, said: "Lyndon is a school with huge ambition for every learner, and this report shows what that looks like in practice. 

“The progress made by disadvantaged young people in particular is outstanding by any measure. My thanks go to the whole team, and to the learners and families who make Lyndon the amazing school it is."