“Both my boys have grown through the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Programme; it is one of the many things that makes USH such a very special school.”
Parent
“There are a range of clubs and other opportunities on offer. ”
Ofsted 2019
“I would really like to congratulate you and the team on the year 7 transition, which worked wonderfully. My son has flourished since arriving at USH and is really happy.”
Year 7 parent
“Thank you to every teacher that helped me when I needed them: I don't have one teacher to pick from - there are lots.”
Year 11 leaver
“Pupils feel challenged and stretched and say that many of their teachers are ambitious for them. This inculcates positive attitudes to learning and to examination success.”
Ofsted 2016
“Pupils enjoy their lessons and appreciate teachers’ enthusiasm for their subjects. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Particular strengths include the quality of feedback offered to pupils on their work and good questioning which probes understanding and ensures its security.”
Ofsted 2016
“The whole DofE experience has pushed both my sons so far out of their comfort zone and I have really seen them grow in confidence as a result. It is opportunities like this that make USH such a great school.”
Parent
“I wish to congratulate the school for inviting grandparents to your Poppy Service this morning. Being greeted so warmly on such an awful day was great. Having four grandaughters, this is the first time my husband and I have ever been invited to a senior school. The refreshments were fantastic. Many thanks. ”
'A very happy grandparent'
“The academy means business on literacy.”
Ofsted 2016
“The quality of learning in English is particularly good. Pupils also learn well in mathematics and their progress is improving.”
Ofsted 2016
“USH has transformed my daughter.”
Year 8 parent
“Cats was outstanding - what a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Year 10 and 9 parent
“To my tutor: "Thank you for being so supportive to me during exam time and making tutor time enjoyable."”
Year 11 leaver
“Visit of Chris Lubbe: "All of my children seemed to be profoundly affected - in a good way - by this visit. They were spellbound and it sounds as if everyone else was too."”
Parent
“My teachers went above and beyond their work, pushed us and supported us, no matter what challenges we faced.”
Year 11 leaver
“They make good use of the expert advice and support available in the guidance centre.”
Ofsted 2019
“Pupils say teachers are always willing to help them improve their work. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Thank you for arranging the excellent Parent Workshops on "The Adolescent Brain" - they were brilliant! My husband and I both found it very useful...we will be back for more!”
Year 7 Parent after attending an USH Parent Workshop
“The headteacher leads the school with passion and determination. He is ably supported by his senior team. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Learning is promoted strongly.”
Ofsted 2016
“This is a good school for the creative variety of subjects.”
Year 6 parent
“Once again, thank you so much to you and your intrepid team for giving up your weekend to spend a very wet 2 days in the New Forest, guiding the youngsters through their final DofE expeditions. ”
Parent
“Leaders are helping pupils understand the world around them better by studying a wide range of books in different subjects. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Pupils feel safe in the school and very well cared for.”
Ofsted 2019
“Since my son has attended Upper Shirley High, he has gone from strength to strength.”
Year 8 parent
“Leaders aim to prepare pupils to become thoughtful members of the changing local community. ”
Ofsted 2019
“My daughter and I visited Upper Shirley High and we feel this is a school where she will be very happy and thrive.”
Prospective parent
“Thank you for being here for us. You have taught me so much and made me improve my grades.”
Year 11 leaver
“Pupils with additional learning, or welfare needs are looked after well and their learning is supported effectively.”
Ofsted 2016
“We feel USH is committed to providing stimulating environments in which children can develop and learn.”
Prospective parent
“Pupils are expected to read every day.”
Ofsted 2019
“…significant strengths in Film Studies, Performing and Visual Arts subjects, Physical Education, Geography and Catering…”
Ofsted 2016
“You are very ambitious for the success of pupils and staff here and you drive improvement strongly and securely. You are supported in this by a strong senior team and effective middle leaders. ‘Learning without Limits’ is the clear message, and the expectation of all.”
Ofsted 2016
“The governance of the academy is strong.”
Ofsted 2016
“I think the new uniform looks really great. I'm just filling in the form for my daughter to join next September!”
Year 10 parent
“Strong systems are in place to keep you and other leaders closely informed about the quality of all aspects of the academy’s work.”
Ofsted 2016
“I would like to thank you for being such an inspiration to both my sons.”
Year 10 and 9 parent
“Our school celebrates everything and everyone, which makes the community bond even stronger; no one is ignored.
”
Year 11 student
“Inspirational subject leaders expect pupils to be challenged.”
Ofsted 2019
“Good teaching continues to support pupils’ good progress.”
Ofsted 2016
“You demonstrate great ambition for this academy and for the quality of its work for pupils and their families.”
Ofsted 2016
“You drive improvements successfully.”
Ofsted 2016
“The academy has a very good level of awareness about the ‘Prevent’ programme.”
Ofsted 2016
“Please pass on our thanks to all concerned and the teachers for their hard work and commitment to USH over the years - very much appreciated.
”
Parent
“Thank you so much for your hard work in getting my son through his DofE final expedition and for giving him this opportunity.”
Year 10 parent
“A higher proportion of pupils than in the past are taking subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate. ”
Ofsted 2019
“The school’s good reputation and increasing popularity is well deserved. ”
Ofsted 2019
“The teachers have been an absolute inspiration to me from the start and have supported me during my time at USH.”
Year 11 leaver
“What a wonderful atmosphere there was and how impressed I was with the school and its pupils.”
Grandparent, following Grandparents Morning on Remembrance Day
“Many teachers plan so that pupils with SEND learn well. ”
Ofsted 2019
“I am absolutely delighted by the very high levels of pride my daughter shows in her work.”
Year 11 parent
“The way the school has dealt with my child's transition in Year 7 has been fantastic - my child is making great progress in their learning, thanks to some inspiring teaching.”
Year 7 Parent
“Thank you so much to your staff who gave up their weekends to provide an amazing experience for the young people doing DofE.”
Year 10 parent
“I feel that the close-knit community at USH has helped me develop and flourish as an individual and reach my potential.”
Year 11 leaver
“Reward badges that pupils wear with such pride are successful. The Library is used well.”
Ofsted 2016
“Leaders are determined to keep a strong sense of community as the school grows. ”
Ofsted 2019
“i would like to pass on my appreciation for the excellent Awards Evening held at St Mary's Hall.”
Parent
“You can see the sense of pride felt by the students about their uniform and this enables them to live up to the ethos/values of the school.”
Year 6 parent
“What a lovely gesture by two of your students and how refreshing in this day and age to find such honesty.”
Member of public
“Well trained staff know what to do if they have a concern about a pupil. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Teachers show strong subject expertise.”
Ofsted 2019
“The Endeavour Centre offers a wide range of good support for pupils with particular learning needs.”
Ofsted 2016
“Pupils are keen to learn. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Your school production of Cats was utterly amazing, on a par with, or much better than some so-called professional productions.”
Year 8 parent
“They (pupils) show a pride in their appearance.”
Ofsted 2019
“Thank you for helping me to gain confidence in myself and motivating me to keep going and stay happy.”
Year 11 leaver
“Leaders have established a culture where the well-being and safety of pupils is given the highest importance. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Having seen the school and spoken to pupils and staff, we believe USH would offer our daughter the best opportunity of developing her academic and creative potential.”
Prospective parent
“Pupils show respect for each other and for adults in the school. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Leaders, including governors, are committed to helping every pupil do their best. ”
Ofsted 2019
“It is clear you have tremendous enthusiasm and passion, not just for the school but more importantly, for the students.”
Year 9 parent
“Pupils are confident that there are trusted adults they can speak to if they are worried about something. ”
Ofsted 2019
“My teacher gave me the confidence to do things that I would never have dreamt of doing.”
Year 11 leaver
“Both staff and pupils are proud of the inclusive nature of the school.”
Ofsted 2019
“To my PE teacher: "Thank you for being such a great tutor/PE teacher and helping me through my five years at this school."”
“English and Food and Nutrition are consistently well planned and delivered, and pupils achieve well.”
Ofsted 2019
“Pupils are making better progress in the academy.”
Ofsted 2016
“Pupils are clear that everyone should be treated equally. ”
Ofsted 2019
“We share the high aspirations that the school has and this would suit our daughter.”
Prospective parent
“I just wanted to say how impressed I have been this last week, having attended both Cats at the Nuffield and the Awards Evening.”
Year 8 parent
“Leaders have high ambitions for what pupils can achieve. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported by the special educational needs coordinator and her effective team in the specialist centre. ”
Ofsted 2019
“The academy benefits from being part of a local multi-academy trust. You particularly value the close links this gives the academy with its community.”
Ofsted 2016
“Pupils’ transition from primary school is very smooth.”
Ofsted 2019
“Leaders provide support in school and work relentlessly to help pupils and families get the support they need from other agencies.”
Ofsted 2019
“Pupils can explain what the school motto, ‘believe, respect, succeed’, means for them. ”
Ofsted 2019
“I want to thank you and your team for the compelling vision of the future of USH.”
Year 9 parent
“Warmest congratulations for an outstanding school performance of Cats. The hard work of staff and students was most evident and their professionalism was second to none.”
Year 8 parent
“My daughter is extremely lucky to have such dedicated teachers to help her on her way.”
Year 10 parent
“Please congratulate the staff and students that took part in Rock Challenge last night. I thought USH's piece was excellent and deserved a top slot! Our son is already up for next year's show.”
Year 7 Parent
“There is a calm and productive atmosphere in lessons and around the school. ”
Ofsted 2019
“At key stage 4, leaders have high ambitions for pupils’ academic success. ”
Ofsted 2019
“You and your senior team regard the management of the quality of teaching as central to your work.”
Ofsted 2016
“All pupils are aware of their target grades and use this information to steer their learning.”
Ofsted 2016
“We are just writing to say how very impressed myself and my husband were at the Open Morning on Saturday. As a result of this, our daughter can't wait to come to Upper Shirley next September - her words were "Why can't I start now?"
”
Year 6 parent
“Teachers work together to plan interesting lessons that help pupils build on what they already know.”
Ofsted 2019
“You and your staff place an appropriately very high emphasis on pupil’s safety and welfare.”
Ofsted 2016
“Governance is strong.”
Ofsted 2016
“.... best school production we have ever seen.”
Parent
“Staff help pupils to prepare well for examinations. ”
Ofsted 2019
“Pupils are welcoming and friendly and many are proud of their academy. ”
Ofsted 2016
“Your students who helped at our infant school sports day were polite and helpful and an absolute credit to the school.”
Infant School parent
“Leaders expect the very best from pupils. ”
Ofsted 2019
