“High expectations for pupils’ behaviour and academic achievement mean that the school supports pupils’ ambitious aspirations effectively. Pupils are invariably polite, respectful and kind … The school’s ‘inclusion charter’, created by pupils, makes a very positive impact on day-to-day life … Cultivating pupils’ reading is a real strength of the school. Weaker readers get the right additional help to become more fluent and confident, supporting their learning across the curriculum. The school develops pupils’ enthusiasm for reading widely, fostered through activities such as regular reading sessions, debates, visits from authors and competitions. The ‘Highdown canon’ is a selection of culturally rich texts that the school recommends to pupils and encourages them to read. The diversity represented in these books contributes very strongly to pupils’ cultural and spiritual understanding.”