Bingley Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Students' achievement has improved since the previous inspection so that it is now good because effective management of teaching ensures that the quality is now good and, increasingly, outstanding. The achievement of those students known to be eligible for free school meals and others with a wide range of needs has improved and is above that of similar students nationally.

The school has a keen understanding of its strengths and what needs to get better because of astute leadership from the headteacher, senior leaders and governors. Senior leaders and subject leaders check on the progress students are making regularly and accurately so that all s...taff are increasingly held accountable for ensuring consistently good progress. The sixth form is good.

As a result of effective leadership and consistently good teaching achievement is good and improving rapidly. The school successfully includes the whole of its community of different cultures, backgrounds and needs, which ensures a harmonious atmosphere. A rich curriculum promotes students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development successfully, with students given a range of opportunities to reflect on how they can make a positive difference to modern society.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : The progress which students make is not yet outstanding across the school. Not enough teaching is outstanding and in a minority of subjects, mainly in Key Stage 3, there are pockets where planned work does not always meet individual needs. A small number of students lack the skills to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for organising their learning without close supervision.

While the school does much to share good and outstanding classroom practice, there is scope for this to become more routine practice in order that everyone benefits from the most successful examples.

Information about this school

Bingley Grammar is much larger than most secondary schools. The proportion of students supported by the pupil premium, which is additional funding for children in local authority care, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals or those who have a parent in the armed forces, is below average.

The proportion of students supported at school action is similar to the national average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is slightly below that usually found. The proportion of students from minority ethnic backgrounds is broadly average, as is the percentage who speak English as an additional language.

The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' progress and attainment. Where deemed necessary, the school provides part-time vocational courses for students off site at the nearby Keighley College as well as The JAMES project (Joint Activities and Motor Education Service) which provides alternative curriculum opportunities. The school works collaboratively with The Three Valleys Partnership and The Bradford Partnership which provide the school with support and challenge in all aspects of its work.