Blenheim High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders and governors have provided strong and effective leadership to overcome the weaknesses identified in the last inspection. They are determined and well equipped to improve pupils' education further.

Leaders, including middle managers and governors, know the school well. Self-evaluation is accurate and development planning, to raise the quality of teaching, is improving. The school has worked hard to improve the attainment and progress of those pupils who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The performance of boys is improving and closer to that of girls. Pupils benefit from an innovative, person...alised and creative curriculum which secures their engagement and ensures their good progress. Enrichment activities and the extended day have contributed to raising their performance.

Teaching, learning and assessment are effective and supported by strong subject knowledge and an awareness of examination requirements. Teaching assistants are highly effective and support learning well. The teaching of literacy and numeracy is limited across the curriculum.

Pupils' presentation is not consistently supported, and subject-specific words are not stressed. The school is a calm, orderly and purposeful community. Pupils behave well and are respectful, kind and courteous.

They know how to identify risk and have a secure knowledge of how to keep healthy and safe. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Pastoral systems provide high-quality pastoral care for pupils in the school.

An effective culture of safeguarding exists throughout the school. Staff know pupils well and care about their health and well-being. Staff receive regular safeguarding training.

The progress and attainment of pupils in 2018 were above the national averages and particularly successful for the most able pupils. Work scrutiny and lesson observations confirm good achievement across all years and all subjects but especially the core subjects. Leadership of the sixth form is effective and knowledgeable about strengths and weaknesses of the provision.

The sixth-form curriculum represents a good balance between academic and technical courses. Progress in the sixth form is good and students attain standards similar to those seen nationally. The school meets the minimum standards for 16 to 19 study programmes with high-quality and impartial guidance.

Information about this school

Blenheim High School is a larger than average comprehensive school. The school converted to an academy in September 2012 and the headteacher took up post just after the last inspection in April 2017. At that time, the school was judged by Ofsted to require improvement.

The large majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups, the proportion who speak English as an additional language and the proportion of pupils supported by pupil premium funding are below national averages. There are more girls than boys at the school.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is similar to the national average and the proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is falling but still similar to national averages. Thirteen pupils attend alternative provision for two days each week at the North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT), Merton College or Academy 21. The requirements of the 16 to 19 study programme are fully met.

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