Hexham Middle School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The school website states that 'this is a friendly, welcoming school, built on foundations of mutual respect and care for others'.

Inspectors confirm that this is indeed the case. There has been a marked improvement in the quality of teaching and standards reached by pupils since the last inspection. Currently, from their different starting points, pupils make good progress in most subjects, including English and mathematics.

The executive headteacher, ably supported by the head of school, senior team and governing body, is determined to make the school the very best it can be. The school continues to improve at a pace. Systems and proces...ses to check the quality of provision and the rate of progress that pupils make are excellent.

Leaders at all levels use this information wisely to intervene when needed. Leaders have an excellent understanding of the strengths of the school and where they need to focus next in order to improve outcomes for pupils further. Development planning is strong.

Pupils are typically courteous, polite, and show a deep level of respect for one another. Their behaviour is outstanding. Their love of learning is clearly evident.

Arrangements to keep pupils safe are highly effective. Pupils are kept safe and feel safe. Teaching is good.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They make good use of assessment to plan challenging and interesting work for pupils of different abilities. Extra-curricular opportunities are effective in promoting learning.

These are given a high priority, as leaders say that 'arts, sport and other opportunities help shape pupils as individuals and as citizens of the wider world'. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is still some variation in the quality of teaching across the school, and in developing pupils' literacy skills across the curriculum. Some disadvantaged pupils do not make the same strong rates of progress as other pupils in the school.

Information about this school

This middle-deemed secondary school is much smaller than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for support through pupil premium funding is below average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of pupils who have support for special educational needs or disability is average. The proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is below the national average. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

The school uses no alternative provision. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school is part of a hard federation with the local high school.

An executive headteacher and a single governing body are responsible for both schools. The school has received high-quality support from the local high school in the hard federation, Queen Elizabeth High School, and from Whitley Bay High School. Since the last inspection, a new executive headteacher, head of school, deputy headteacher and assistant headteacher have been appointed, and the governing body has been reconstituted.

Also at this postcode