Pupils, including those with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are proud and happy to attend Rayner Stephens High School. They value the positive relationships that they have with their teachers. Most pupils are polite and courteous to each other. Pupils in Year 7 settle into school well with the support of their peer mentors. The school is warm and welcoming. Pupils benefit from the improvements made by the trust. This has helped to raise the school’s expectations for pupils’ achievement. Recent changes to the curriculum are helping pupils to build on their learning more securely at key stage 3. However, the work to improve the curriculum at key stage 4 is not complete. As such, older pupils do not achieve as well as they could. Pupils’ behaviour and conduct have improved since the trust made changes to the behaviour management systems. Most pupils have positive attitudes to learning. Nonetheless, weaknesses in how the curriculum is sometimes delivered mean that some pupils do not enjoy their learning. Some pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, miss school frequently. This leads to gaps in their learning. Pupils relish the opportunities that promote their wider development. For instance, many pupils complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Older pupils enjoy their roles as ambassadors for sports and anti-bullying. Pupils lead activities which serve their community. For example, they fundraise for the homeless and host dinners for the elderly. This helps pupils to develop their independence as well as their communication skills and empathy for others.