Dawlish College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, in a very short time, has transformed the quality of education at the school. Expectations of what students are able to achieve have risen significantly. Pupils, parents and staff are all aware that a new culture has taken hold.

There is a strong sense of shared purpose and real enthusiasm for learning across the school. Pupils make good progress in all year groups and across most subjects. While the outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have improved, outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and boys in particular are not good enough.

Teaching is well planned. As a... result, most pupils gain new knowledge quickly. Teaching helps pupils consolidate their learning effectively and so they are increasingly able to remember and use ideas in each subject.

Teachers assess pupils' work accurately. As a result, pupils know how they can improve. Nevertheless, some pupils, particularly boys, do not use this information well enough to improve their work.

In some subjects, including mathematics, the quality of teaching is variable, and this has an impact on pupils' progress. However, leaders are working hard to ensure that the quality of teaching is consistently good in all lessons. Pupils are attentive in lessons.

Their respectful relationships with teachers make a significant contribution to their learning. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is good. They are proud of their school, enjoy wearing their new uniforms and respect the school environment.

Attendance is improving. Nevertheless, the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and those who are persistently absent is too low. Pupils are well prepared for their future roles as citizens in modern Britain.

Leaders and governors have ensured that pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is supported well across the curriculum. Pupils are safe. Processes for managing safeguarding are robust.

Governors have a good understanding of the school. They understand its strengths and areas in need of development.

Information about this school

This is a smaller-than-average sized secondary school working in partnership with Newton Abbot College.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is below the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below average. The school uses alternative provision based at Bicton College and the Wave Academy.