The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. When you were appointed in September 2014, the school had a large budget deficit. Working with governors, you overcame the constraints this placed on the school and stabilised its finances. Since then, you have been resolute in your drive to raise the aspirations of all pupils. You have introduced major curriculum reorganisation and instigated a step change in professional development for staff at the school. Staff are left in no doubt that they are responsible for developing their practice. As a result of these higher expectations hitting home, the quality of teaching has improved. Pupils and staff appreciate your approachable yet determined leadership. At the same time as raising the expectations staff have of what pupils can achieve, you have maintained the Christian ethos of the school. You have a strong commitment to inclusion. The school has a specialist resource base for pupils who have complex learning needs. This offers effective provision for pupils from a wide area. You have ensured that these pupils are integrated into the life of the school. The school is smaller than the average school. Your staff know the pupils well and are able to support them effectively. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school site. They are proud of their school and speak highly of their teachers. In particular, they express a strong moral duty to respect and accept others. Your school has a relatively small proportion of disadvantaged pupils. In the past, these pupils did not achieve well. You have taken steps to remedy this and, consequently, their progress has increased rapidly in most subject areas. You have addressed the issues raised at the previous inspection. The assessment of pupils in the specialist resource provision is now more accurate. A central record of assessments is used to keep a sharp eye on pupils’ progress in the resource base. Working closely with parents, you have reduced the number of pupils who are persistently absent from school. However, overall attendance remains stubbornly below the national average, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. In 2016, pupils’ progress in the GCSE subjects of the English Baccalaureate was in line with the national average. However, pupils’ progress in GCSE English declined and was below the national average. In response to this, you took decisive action to improve the quality of teaching in English. Information supplied by the school indicates that pupils’ progress in GCSE English in 2017 improved significantly. Sixthform students enjoy the range of courses and opportunities you offer them through the joint arrangement with The Sir John Colfox Academy. In 2016, students’ overall progress was in line with the national average. However, the most able students’ progress was above average. At the time of the previous inspection, a large proportion of key stage 4 pupils took vocational qualifications. You recognised that some of these qualifications were not appropriate for many pupils. You reviewed the key stage 4 curriculum and made changes as a result. Pupils currently in the school are now studying a more appropriate balance of academic and vocational courses. Safeguarding is effective. The school’s arrangements for keeping pupils safe are fit for purpose and records are detailed and of high quality. Policies and practices reflect the latest guidance. Your leaders who have specific responsibilities for safeguarding are clear about their roles and responsibilities. You have ensured that all staff and governors are aware of the risks pupils face and follow clear procedures when they have concerns. When necessary, you make brisk referrals to external agencies to provide extra help. Risk assessments are detailed and proportionate. For example, you have carefully considered the security of the site and taken steps to ensure pupils’ safety. You have maintained a positive atmosphere in the school. Safeguarding issues are discussed openly and honestly. As a result, pupils are confident and safe and feel very well cared for. They respect each other and their teachers. The great majority of parents who responded to the online survey, Parent View, believe their child is safe and taught well. Parents recognise that bullying, in any form, is rare at the school. This is confirmed by pupils. They explained to inspectors that they receive good-quality academic and pastoral help from the student support and guidance centre. This is a strength of the school.