Kinver High School judged ‘STRONG’ by Ofsted for Achievement, Inclusion and Personal Development

Kinver High School and Sixth Form, part of Invictus Education Trust, has been judged by Ofsted to reach a strong standard for Achievement, Inclusion, and Personal Development and Wellbeing, under the inspectorate's demanding new framework. Every other area of the school's work met the expected standard, with safeguarding confirmed as met.

The inspection, carried out on 17 March 2026, is the first published for Kinver under Ofsted's newly reformed framework, which tests schools rigorously against a five-point scale rather than a single overall grade. Meeting the expected standard is itself a demanding bar under this revised system, and not a single judgement at Kinver fell below it anywhere in the report.

Strong achievement for pupils

Inspectors praised pupils' academic achievement, finding that outcomes at Key Stage 4 show pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, “consistently achieve well across a range of subjects.” Achievement gaps for disadvantaged pupils are “narrowing quickly”, while pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) “achieve consistently well from their starting points.” Ofsted also praised the knowledge and skills pupils develop across the curriculum, noting that pupils produce “high-quality work”, confidently recall prior learning, and are “very well prepared for the next stage of their education.”

Inclusion recognised as a strength

The school achieved a strong standard for inclusion, with inspectors recognising leaders' detailed understanding of the needs of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND. Ofsted highlighted the school's high expectations for these pupils and the way leaders work with external agencies, parents and carers to ensure they get the support they need, alongside “highly effective adaptations to the curriculum” and well-thought-out wellbeing support, including the school's art, animal therapy and 'Thrive' provision. 

An ambitious curriculum for every child

The curriculum was found to be “ambitious, well planned and logically sequenced”, preparing pupils effectively for their next steps in education or training. Teachers know pupils' needs well and adapt their teaching so that pupils including those with SEND can access the curriculum fully, while additional support in English and maths helps pupils catch up quickly wherever it is needed.

Enrichment, maturity and a calm, orderly community

Inspectors praised Kinver's high-quality personal development programme, delivered through an extensive enrichment offer within the school day as part of the ‘Enhanced Curriculum’, which leaves pupils “very well prepared for life in modern Britain.” Pupils discuss and debate current issues “with a high level of maturity”, a skill nurtured from Year 7, where every pupil receives public speaking training. Pupils show excellent attitudes to learning and positive, respectful relationships with one another and with staff, both in lessons and around the school. Ofsted described a school that is “calm and orderly”, where pupils enjoy learning and there are “supportive and respectful relationships between staff and pupils.”

Strong GCSE results sustained

The report's findings have since been reinforced by this summer's GCSE results, which remain considerably above local and National outcomes. Kinver's provisional Attainment 8 score of 51 is well above the national average of 47, continuing a strong trend across the past three years. 77% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, and 58% achieved a grade 5 or above, both comfortably ahead of local and national figures. In English specifically, 90% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above, with almost all subjects performing considerably above national figures. These results were not available to inspectors in March, but they confirm exactly what Ofsted found, and show the school maintaining the high, strong outcomes it has sustained in recent years.

Nikki Clifton, Director of Education at Invictus Education Trust and former Headteacher, said:

“I want to thank every member of our Kinver community for what they achieved, not just on the days Ofsted visited, but every single day. At Kinver, we treat every day as an open day: one where staff and pupils alike strive to be the very best version of themselves, because every one of our students deserves nothing less. Ofsted's inspectors were rigorous and thorough throughout, and it was a pleasure to show them exactly what that looks like in practice, showing off our wonderful students and staff along the way.”

Chris Heywood, Headteacher of Kinver High School and Sixth Form, said

“This report is a source of great pride for our whole school community and reflects the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our students and the support of our families. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success at Kinver High School. My sincere thanks go to Nikki Clifton, Kinver High School staff and everyone at Invictus for the strong foundations I've inherited here at Kinver. 

As new Headteacher, this report provides the mandate for the next stage of our development. I am fully committed to building on these strengths, working closely with students, staff, parents, carers, and colleagues across Invictus Education Trust. Together, we will continue to raise aspirations, provide exceptional opportunities and ensure every young person experiences the very best of what a Kinver education has to offer. This report demonstrates what we strive to achieve every day at Kinver High School: that every day, in every way, our students come first.”

At Kinver, our ambition for every child goes far beyond results on a page. We want each of them to leave us as a successful, well rounded and confident young person, resilient and independent minded, and genuinely ready for adult life. It is this ambition that has made Kinver, although non-selective, the selective choice of parents across our local area.

Parents and carers of prospective Year 7 pupils are warmly invited to come and see that ambition in action at our forthcoming Open Day on Saturday 19 September, 9.30am to 12.30pm. 

Mr Chris Heywood, Headteacher will address prospective parents and pupils at 9.30am, 10.15am, 11.00am and 12.00pm. 

Click here to register: Kinver Open Day 2026 | Invictus

Kinver High School and Sixth Form's full inspection report is available at Kinver High School and Sixth Form - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted