Avonbourne Girls Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The chief executive officer has overseen the development of the school from 11 to 16 secondary provision for girls to an all-through school with a co-educational sixth form and a co-educational primary school with, currently, Years R to 2. She has been continuously ambitious for the school and has been successful in providing a good standard of education for pupils in the three different phases.

Teaching is good and supports pupils' progress across the different phases of the school. The behaviour of pupils is good and provides a calm and purposeful climate for learning to take place. The care and attention paid to the emotional well-being of pupi...ls are a considerable strength.

The progress of disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is improving steadily as a consequence. The provision in the sixth form is good and caters for students' individual needs. This has led to students finding appropriate education, employment and training at the end of their time at school.

There is a wealth of activities in which pupils can participate. Pupils thrive on this and have achieved some strong outcomes as a result. The children in the early years are making good progress.

Parents are effusive in their praise of the setting. Governors are committed and enthusiastic. They receive support from the directors on a range of policies, which enables aspects such as managing staff performance to be effective and rigorous.

Despite the school's measures to improve attendance, the attendance of a minority of pupils in each phase has remained stubbornly low. Teachers have taken part in several development opportunities and a host of initiatives. However, evaluation of how these activities have had an impact on pupils' outcomes is lacking.

As a result, improvements in teaching are inconsistent. Expectations and support for pupils with lower ability are not good in some subjects in the secondary phase. Here, these pupils are not progressing as well as others.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish. Avonbourne College is part of the Avonbourne Academy Trust.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is above the national average; the proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is below the national average. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress at key stage 4.