Norbury High School for Girls in Croydon has received an Ofsted report that praises the academic achievements of its disadvantaged pupils while flagging concerns over persistently low attendance and support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The inspection, conducted in May with the report published in early September, found the school met the 'expected standard' for academic achievement, curriculum, and teaching, but rated inclusion and leadership as 'needs attention'.
Disadvantaged pupils outperform national average
The inspection highlighted that 38.9 per cent of disadvantaged pupils at the school achieved grade 5 or above in GCSE English and maths, compared with 25.8 per cent nationally. Ofsted described this performance as “a credit to the school”. The school, located on Kensington Avenue in Norbury, has 1,173 female pupils aged 11 to 19 and is part of the Wandle Learning Trust, which operates primary and secondary schools across London and East Sussex.
Official figures show that 37.49 per cent of pupils at the school are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national average of 26.5 per cent. The school’s sixth form also met Ofsted’s expected standard, with inspectors describing it as a “supportive, cohesive and inclusive community” and noting that student achievement was beginning to show clear improvement.
Attendance and SEND support flagged as concerns
Despite these positives, the inspection raised significant concerns. Attendance was a main issue, with 36.1 per cent of pupils recorded as persistently absent, compared with a national average of 23.4 per cent. Ofsted inspector Emily Leonard said that while overall attendance remained slightly above the national benchmark, attendance among pupils with SEND was a particular concern. The report noted that school leaders had “a clear understanding” of absent pupils' needs and that measures to improve attendance were beginning to have an impact, but “some variability in rigour” was limiting effectiveness.
Inclusion was rated as “needs attention” after inspectors found inconsistent support for vulnerable pupils. Staff training to meet the needs of pupils with SEND and those known to social care was described as “limited”, meaning some pupils “do not access learning fully”. The report added that leaders “do not have consistently high expectations for these pupils”.
Leadership and governance under scrutiny
Leadership and governance were also rated as “needs attention”. Inspectors said “leadership structures lack clarity”, resulting in “variable oversight of systems”, and that governors “do not have a securely clear understanding” of areas needing improvement. The school’s curriculum met the expected standard overall, but inspectors found inconsistency in how teachers check pupils’ understanding during lessons, allowing gaps in knowledge to develop.
Positive aspects included safeguarding standards being fully met, with inspectors praising an “open culture” where “pupils are made safer and feel safe”. Behaviour was generally positive, with pupils described as “calm and regularly treat one another with kindness”, and inspectors noted a “significant reduction” in suspensions. Staff morale was also praised, with teachers describing leaders as approachable.
School responds to Ofsted findings
In response, the school's Local Academy Committee Co-Chairs, Judi Dumont-Barter and Shazra Abdul Wahid, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "After a Summer of exceptional GCSE and A Level results, including for our most disadvantaged students, we welcome Ofsted’s recognition of our school’s open and positive culture in which girls are empowered and encouraged. We were also really pleased to see Ofsted grade our Curriculum and Teaching, Achievement, Personal Development and Wellbeing, along with Post-16 Provision (Sixth Form), as ‘Expected Standard.'"
They added: "Areas identified as ‘Needs Attention’ by Ofsted were ones that we had also identified in our own rigorous self-evaluation. Our targeted action plans mean we know what work needs to be done to reach the required benchmark in every area. We were able to review those plans with Ofsted when they visited. We’re confident that with the support of all Norbury High School for Girls staff and the wider Wandle Learning Trust school improvement team we’ll be at least expected standard in all areas when Ofsted next visit us in 12 months’ time."
