Eggar’s School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and his leadership team are dedicated to the school, its pupils and the community.

They know exactly what the school's strengths are and are fully committed to its further improvement. Teaching, learning and assessment are securely good, with some outstanding practice. All pupils make good progress across the curriculum.

Some make outstanding progress in English and mathematics. Leaders have responded intelligently to some disappointing published outcomes for pupils in the last two years, particularly in science. Actions to improve teaching and learning are making a positive impact on pupils' progress and their achievement... at the end of Year 11.

Leaders have ensured that staff benefit from high-quality training and guidance. As a result, teaching, learning and assessment are improving rapidly. Leaders check on pupils' progress frequently and gather information about how well they are doing.

However, leaders are not using assessment information precisely enough to gauge the impact that improvements to teaching are making on pupils' outcomes. Pupils are safe and secure in the school. Arrangements to safeguard and protect them from harm are effective.

Governors provide strong challenge and oversight for the school. They ask astute and probing questions of school leaders and hold them to account for pupils' progress and personal development. Pupils' personal development is outstanding.

Pupils thrive within the school's excellent inclusive culture and ethos. Pupils are welcomed, supported and cared for irrespective of background or ability. Pupils have excellent opportunities to gain skills and knowledge outside the classroom.

The school's superb provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development leads to pupils becoming active and responsible young adults. Behaviour is outstanding. Pupils' conduct is superb, and they show respect and care towards each other and adults.

The school has a strong reputation with parents and in the community. Numbers on roll are increasing because of the high regard parents have for what the school offers. Challenging work and the pursuit of excellence are not consistently seen in all subject areas and for all groups of pupils.

As a result, some pupils, particularly boys, are not as industrious or focused on learning as they could be.

Information about this school

Eggar's school is an 11 to 16 comprehensive school of average, but growing, size. The number on roll has recently increased to 940 pupils.

There are more boys than girls on the school roll. In some year groups, two-thirds of the cohort are boys. A below-average proportion of pupils with SEND attend the school.

The number of pupils who are disadvantaged is also below the national average. The school converted to academy status in 2012. The school has not been inspected since the predecessor school was judged to be outstanding in 2009.

The headteacher has been in post for five years. He was previously the deputy headteacher of the school. A very small number of pupils attend alternative provision at Elkolet, Rowhill School and Wessex Dance Academy.