Beauchamps High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is an extremely welcoming and inclusive school. Pupils appreciate the very positive relationships they have built with staff. They are happy and enjoy coming to school.

Staff know their pupils very well. This helps to ensure that pupils are kept safe.

The school has high expectations for pupils.

This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who are supported exceptionally well. The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. Careful adaptations are made, when necessary, to ensure pupils achieve well and are ready for their next steps.

Pupils behave well during lessons. The school has recently reviewed the behaviour ...system, which is highly effective. It is understood by pupils and applied consistently by staff.

Pupils build positive relationships with each other. They rightly describe the school as, 'like a family.'

Many pupils take part in the broad range of clubs provided by the school.

These help to develop pupils' talents and interests. These are highly inclusive, with some opportunities designed specifically for the needs of certain pupils. The school welcomes a range of external speakers to broaden pupils' cultural experiences.

These include visits from artists and authors.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The curriculum is designed successfully to build pupils' knowledge progressively over time. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and present information clearly.

In the sixth form, students' outcomes are sometimes below national expectations. The school has put in place a number of effective strategies to raise the impact of the curriculum in these areas.

Pupils with SEND are identified swiftly.

Staff work closely with local primary schools to ensure transitions are smooth when pupils with SEND join the school. Teachers are provided with useful information to support pupils with SEND during lessons. Staff are highly skilled in making adaptations to ensure pupils can access the curriculum successfully.

The school ensures staff have the expertise to support pupils with SEND well, through extremely well considered training. The 'I-matter' provision provides exceptional support for pupils with SEND. This ensures that pupils with SEND achieve positive outcomes and are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.

Sometimes, teachers do not identify and address pupils' misconceptions. As a result, there are occasions where pupils do not retain knowledge securely or lack depth in their understanding.

The school identifies pupils who find reading a challenge swiftly.

Staff identify pupils' specific needs and put in place effective, well-matched support. This helps pupils to become fluent and confident readers. Reading and the development of vocabulary have a high profile in the school.

There are numerous strategies in place to encourage and develop an enjoyment of reading. These include a range of competitions and workshops from visiting authors.

Pupils largely have positive attitudes to their education.

Staff use the rewards system regularly to recognise the many positive contributions pupils make. Pupils are friendly, confident, and polite. Pupils' attendance to school is high.

The school has effective measures in place and staff work closely with parents and carers to support pupils to attend regularly.

Pupils are taught to stay safe and healthy through a well-considered personal development provision. Pastoral support for pupils is extremely strong.

The 'I-matter' provision uses highly experienced staff to support pupils' mental health through a broad range of therapeutic programmes. Students in the sixth form support this provision through their roles as mental health ambassadors.

The school provides useful and plentiful opportunities for pupils to be leaders.

This helps pupils develop important leadership and interpersonal skills. For example, SEND ambassadors provide pastoral support for those who need it and library ambassadors ensure that the library supports the school's work to promote reading. The school provides pupils with purposeful careers advice and guidance.

Students in the sixth form receive effective guidance for future education and employment. This supports them to complete applications for university and apprenticeships.

Leaders at all levels, including governors, have a firm understanding of the strengths and priorities of the school.

They have a clear strategic vision. Governors provide appropriate support and challenge for the school. Staff appreciate leaders' considerations for their workload and well-being.

The school prioritises the leadership development of staff at all stages of their careers. As a result, many staff take on extra areas of responsibility.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Sometimes, teachers do not identify and clarify pupils' misunderstandings systematically or ensure that pupils are secure in subject specific knowledge. This means that, occasionally, pupils are not ready to learn new content and concepts, or do not retain knowledge in their long-term memory. The school should ensure that staff routinely identify and address any gaps in pupils' understanding, so that pupils achieve across the curriculum consistently.

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