Hornchurch High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, the senior leadership team and governors have created a culture of aspiration in the school.

As a result, pupils make good progress. Leaders have high expectations regarding behaviour, attendance and punctuality. Pupils' behaviour and conduct in lessons and around the school are good.

Pupils attend regularly, and rates of absence and persistent absence are lower than the most recent national figures. Middle leaders fully support the vision and values of leaders and governors. They are clear about how their actions contribute to improving teaching and therefore the progress pupils make.

The provision for pupils' p...ersonal development and welfare ensures that pupils are treated as individuals and are well prepared for the next stage of their education The carefully designed curriculum supports pupils' academic and personal development well. Extensive extra-curricular activities and planned opportunities promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. Leaders have an accurate view of the school's strengths and areas for improvement.

They are aware that they need more time to embed their improvement plans. Teaching typically enables pupils to make good progress. Occasionally, teachers' questioning is less effective because it lacks challenge.

Leaders of the school have developed the way teachers provide feedback to pupils. This has resulted in misconceptions being picked up quickly. However, for some pupils this feedback does not help them make enough progress in their learning.

Pupils have opportunities to use and develop their literacy skills across a range of subjects. Leaders have strategies in place to develop pupils' reading skills. However, they acknowledge that there is more work to do to encourage all pupils to read widely.

Newly appointed governors provide an appropriate balance of support and challenge to school leaders. They ensure a good standard of education for pupils. They check that leaders make best use of additional funding.

However, they understand that they would benefit from additional training, as several are new to this role.

Information about this school

The school is a smaller-than-average-sized secondary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils with SEND and the proportion who have an education, health and care plan are lower than national average. The school uses two alternative providers: Barking and Dagenham College and Koru for a small number of pupils. The school is part of Partnership Learning academy trust.