Cheam High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The percentage of students attaining five good GCSE grades including English and mathematics has been well above average for several years. Over recent years, most students have made outstanding progress.

Sixth formers achieve academic and work-related qualifications which reflect the outstanding progress they make. The specialist provision for a group of sixth form students with statements of special educational needs is outstanding. It reflects the school's determination to give all students the best possible start to their future lives.

Teaching is often inspirational, stimulating, and enjoyed by students. The quality of marki...ng is exemplary in several subjects. Teachers are enthusiastic and always keen to improve their practice.

Students' behaviour is exemplary in lessons and around the school. They are keen to learn and get on well with each other whatever their backgrounds. The enormous choice within the curriculum means that students can study practically any subjects, in any combination that they want.

Students' personal development has a high profile. The personal, social and health education programme tackles topical, controversial and challenging issues head on. The headteacher's, senior and middle leaders' and governors' excellent leadership and management underpins everything that the school achieves.

This has led to improvements in teaching and students' achievement. The school functions like a well-oiled machine with students' well-being and education at the heart of its work. Leaders, overseen by governors, monitor students' achievement and the quality of teaching accurately and support swings into place for any students who need it.

Teachers welcome the excellent training provided to extend their skills. A parent, correctly, describes the school as 'playing a huge part in students being happy, well rounded and well educated, and that staff never give up on them'. Sixth formers mature into thoughtful, considerate young adults.

They are very well prepared for the next stage of their education, training or work. Procedures for safeguarding and child protection are outstanding and contribute to students feeling safe and confident at school. The outstanding learning support assistants and pastoral team are the key reason why practically all students overcome their learning or personal difficulties.

Careers advice and guidance is well organised and effective. Starting in Year 7, students are encouraged to have high aspirations and reflect on the impact of their education on their futures.

Information about this school

Cheam High School converted to become an academy on 1 June 2011.

When its predecessor school with the same name was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be outstanding overall. The school is situated in an area where there is selective education, offering almost 850 places in the borough. The school is much larger than the average-sized secondary school.

The sixth form is also larger than average. About 70% of the students attending the school are White British (60% in the sixth form), along with an average percentage of students from many different minority ethnic groups, the largest being 10% of students from Asian backgrounds (20% in the sixth form) . An average proportion of students speak English as an additional language, of whom only a few are at an early stage of learning English.

The proportion of students who receive support through the pupil premium is below average. This is additional government funding for specific groups, including students known to be eligible for free school meals and looked after children. A few looked after children attend the school.

In recent years, between 20 and 30 students have been eligible for Year 7 catch-up funding. This is for students who did not achieve the expected Level 4 in reading or mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2. The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs is above average.

The most common needs relate to students with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, and moderate learning difficulties. The school is a popular choice for parents of statemented students, including those with Down syndrome. The sixth form includes a specialist post-16 Entry Level Provision (PEP) for 24 students with a statement of special educational needs who need a stepping stone between school and college or residential provision.

A very small number of students in Years 10 (one day a week) and 11 (two days a week) study mechanics or building courses at Carshalton College. The school has a number of students on the 'Tennis in Education' scheme which operates in the main school and sixth form. The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.