Chesham Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and students

This is an outstanding school. Achievement is outstanding. Almost all students make strong progress through both key stages.

The percentage of students attaining five or more GCSE passes at grades A* to C, including English and mathematics, is consistently higher than national averages. All groups of students, including those eligible for the student premium, disabled students, students with special educational needs, and those who need special help to catch up, make at least good and often outstanding progress through the school. Teaching is outstanding because it is typically good and is often outstanding.

Teachers are good role models for their students, ...set high expectations, match the work closely to students' needs, and motivate them well. The sixth form is outstanding. In almost all subjects students make excellent progress and achieve very good results.

This is due to the excellent pastoral care and high quality teaching they receive. Behaviour is outstanding because it is typically so. Students say they are very happy at the school.

They have extremely positive attitudes to learning and their behaviour in lessons and around the school is exemplary. Safeguarding is good. Students say they feel safe in school and their well-being is given high priority by all staff and governors.

The headteacher provides outstanding leadership and both he and his senior team are passionate about providing the best possible education for all students. The well-trained and enthusiastic governing body is committed to school improvement. It provides outstanding governance and, through careful review of all activities, ensures there is an excellent balance of challenge and support that has resulted in improvements in the quality of teaching and in students' attendance.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized secondary school. It converted to become an academy school in August 2011. When its predecessor school, also known as Chesham Grammar School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good.

The school benefits from its own sixth form, which is open to both boys and girls from other schools. About 20 students per year join the sixth form by this route. The school has a relatively small number of students who join part way through their secondary education.

No students are provided with alternative education either in the school or elsewhere. Most students are White British. The proportion of students from minority ethnic backgrounds is well below the national average and all have a good command of the English language.

Approximately one in 40 of the students is eligible for the student premium; this is well below the national average. Student premium provides additional funding for children in the care of the local authority, students known to be eligible for free school meals and those from service families. The proportions of disabled students and those with special educational needs supported at school action and school action plus are lower than average though high for a selective school.

The proportion of students with statements of special educational needs is also below average, but high for schools of this type. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. The school has gained Investor in People and Investor in Careers Awards.