Secondary school is back in inspectors' good books

THE head teacher of Chipping Sodbury School has thanked staff, pupils an governors for work which has brought the school to a 'good' rating in its latest inspection - for the first time in almost 15 years.

At its previous inspection by regulator Ofsted, in 2018, the school was deemed to 'require improvement'.

Since then, it has taken on a new head teacher and in 2021 it converted to an academy under the Athelstan Trust.

Head teacher Katherine Turner, who was appointed permanently in 2018, said the report marked a strong turnaround for the school, which last received a 'good' rating in March 2008 and had been given one 'satisfactory' and three 'requires improvement' ratings since then.

She said: “I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised the many strengths of Chipping Sodbury School.

"This is a testament to the hard work by staff, students and governors to improve our school further.”

The inspection by a fourperson team from Ofsted in November found that the school, which has over 739 pupils aged 11 to 18, to be “good” in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.

During the two-day inspection, it was found that the school was nurturing and inclusive, with core values such as responsibility and aspiration running through all aspects of school life.

The report, published in January, said: "Chipping Sodbury is a nurturing and inclusive school.

"There are strong relationships between staff and pupils. Pupils enjoy school and feel safe.

"Parents agree that staff will go the ‘extra mile’ for pupils.

"Leaders have high expectations for every child. The school’s core values, such as responsibility and aspiration, run through all aspects of school life."

The report said pupils show positive attitudes towards their learning, and are well prepared for their next steps in education or employment.

It also highlighted the wide range of extra-curricular activities, including a recent trip to New York for sixth formers.

The inspectors praised pupils for making contributions to school life, through being a member of the senate council, a learning mentor in the sixth form or a trained mental health ambassador.

Lead inspector Kelly Olive said: "Since the previous inspection, leaders have made significant improvements to the curriculum.

"It is now broad and ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs or disabilities.

"Students in the sixth form value the wide and varied choice of courses available to them."

She said in most subjects, the knowledge pupils need and the order in which they will acquire it has been carefully considered, although some subjects needed more detailed long term planning.

The report said that while most pupils enjoy their lessons and listen attentively, a minority of pupils are removed from lessons due to persistent disruptive behaviour, but a new approach to managing unacceptable behaviour was starting to have an impact.

Pupils benefit from a wellplanned curriculum to support their personal development and there is an effective careers programme in place for pupils in years seven to 13.

The inspector also found that there has been a significant strengthening of the effectiveness of governance, with members of the local governing body, trustees and trust leaders, holding leaders to account.

They said in some subjects, the knowledge that pupils need to learn over time is not planned in sufficient detail, adding: "As a result, pupils cannot always build effectively on what they already know."

The inspectors recommended that leaders ensure core knowledge pupils need to learn is "explicit in all subjects of the curriculum".

Ms Turner said: "Having worked at Chipping Sodbury for a number of years, it is a school of which I am enormously proud and to have this important external validation of our many strengths is immensely gratifying.

"We are not complacent and continue to work hard for our school community."