East Barnet School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school.

Behaviour is exemplary. Students' academic progress is good and in 2011 the proportion of students attaining five or more GCSE passes at grade C or higher, including English and mathematics, was above average. It is not yet outstanding because teaching across the school is not yet strong enough to ensure that almost all students make rapid and sustained progress in most subjects and targets set for students' progress are not always as challenging as they could be.

The sixth form is outstanding. Students make excellent progress during Key Stage 5 and attainment is above the national average. The quality of teaching is good, with some outstanding teaching observed during t...he inspection.

In a small minority of lessons the tasks set for students were not always well matched to meet the needs of all learners and marking and feedback did not clearly inform students about how to improve their learning. The behaviour and safety of students are outstanding. Exceptional care, underpinned by strong values, results in the very large majority of students being happy to come to school.

Students are enthusiastic about their learning and show a great willingness to participate in lessons. Consistent approaches to behaviour management, along with rewards that are valued by students, ensure that the school is calm and orderly and that lessons proceed without interruption. The school provides outstanding opportunities for students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

The leadership and management of the school are outstanding. The headteacher and his team, along with the governing body, have high ambitions for students, underpinned by the school's 'I want to learn' philosophy. School leaders have been effective in maintaining high standards of achievement in the sixth form and of behaviour and safety since the previous inspection.

However, they have not yet raised the quality of teaching to outstanding. Leaders have a good awareness of the strengths and areas for development in teaching and there is a determined drive to further raise its quality to outstanding.

Information about the school

East Barnet School is a larger than average-sized secondary school.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals is below the national average. The students come from a wide range of socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. The majority of students are White British, with a minority from minority ethnic backgrounds including other White backgrounds and Black African and Indian heritage.

The proportion of students who speak English as an additional language is higher than that found nationally. The proportion of students supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is in line with the national average. The school has technology college status and is a Leadership Partner School and National Support School.

It has gained various awards relating to its provision, including Investors in People Gold Award. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. The school moved into new, purpose-built facilities in March 2011 and converted to academy status on 1 April 2011.