Kennet School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils attend a school that is inclusive and understands them as individuals. The house system is a strength of the school and fosters a strong sense of belonging.

Pupils enthusiastically take up the extensive range of extra-curricular activities offered. These opportunities help foster a sense of community.

Pupils, including those in the sixth form, know their teachers want them to succeed at the highest level.

They respond to this ambition by working hard. Consequently, pupils produce work of exceptional quality. They learn very well and achieve highly.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported extremely well. T...he school has made sure teachers have detailed information to help pupils overcome their individual barriers to learning. Teachers use this information to carefully craft adaptations to their teaching.

Consequently, pupils with SEND progress through the curriculum successfully. They produce work that is of equally high quality to their peers. Pupils who attend the school's specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND are fully integrated into the life of the school.

Pupils are happy and safe. They understand that only the highest standards of conduct are acceptable. Pupils learn in mostly calm and purposeful classrooms.

However, some pupils' learning is disrupted by occasional chatter and off-task behaviour from a minority of pupils.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has designed a highly ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils. A broad suite of subjects helps pupils foster a hunger for learning, interest and curiosity.

Teachers explain important knowledge with clarity. They use excellent examples, to show pupils how to craft high-quality responses. This enables pupils to analyse and think deeply about what they are learning.

Teachers regularly check what pupils know and their readiness to move on. This means pupils, including those with SEND, develop a rich and complex understanding of key ideas and knowledge.

The school's approach to reading is impressive.

Pupils read every morning and have a wide genre of books to choose from. The 'Kennet Canon' sets out a list of books pupils will read throughout their time in school. Pupils access an increasingly challenging set of texts from Years 7 to 13.

These texts challenge pupils' thinking and raise their aspirations. Pupils use the books to share and celebrate the diversity of life in modern Britain. The stories help them to understand important values, like tolerance and respect.

Pupils with weaker reading skills receive high-quality, targeted support. This helps them overcome their individual barriers to reading. Consequently, they develop into confident and fluent readers.

The school has worked hard to secure high standards of pupils' conduct. This has led to a generally positive culture within the school. Most pupils behave extremely well.

Most learning proceeds without disruption. However, some pupils disengage from learning and participate in off-task chatter. This can interrupt other pupils' learning.

In most cases, staff pick this up and deal with it quickly. However, not all adults respond to this type of behaviour with the consistency the school and the majority of pupils expect. The school is relentless in its work to raise levels of pupils' attendance.

Staff work closely with the most vulnerable pupils and their families. This is beginning to ensure better and more regular attendance for all pupils.

Pupils benefit from impressive pastoral care and personal development programmes.

The school has placed a strong emphasis on responsible relationships and individual safety. It offers tailored support and signposting for pupils' well-being and care. Highly effective careers advice and guidance helps many pupils move on and succeed in their chosen paths.

Pupils understand the world around them. This means that pupils are ready to become independent and responsible citizens.

The school's enrichment offer enables pupils to access exciting and new experiences.

Pupils and parents have high regard for the commitment of staff who provide these opportunities, such as coding, choirs, sports and drama. Pupils take up the offer with enthusiasm. As a result, they develop new interests and foster existing talents.

Whole school events, such as the triathlon and 'whatever it takes' events, enhance the strong relationships between staff and pupils of all ages. Sixth-form students get involved enthusiastically in the life of the school. They enjoy taking on leadership responsibilities and are proud to be seen as role models for younger pupils.

Staff are proud to work at the school. They feel supported and value leaders' mindfulness of their workload and well-being. New staff and early career teachers are supported very well.

The school provides staff with thoughtfully designed training. This helps staff teach the curriculum with the exceptional quality which pupils enjoy. Governors and trust members are very ambitious for the school.

They provide effective, rigorous challenge and support to leaders to ensure continuous improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A minority of staff do not always apply the agreed policy and procedures for managing pupils' behaviour.

This makes it difficult for some pupils to understand how to meet the school's high expectations. Consequently, some learning is disrupted by off-task behaviour that teachers do not always respond to effectively. The school should ensure all staff apply these policies consistently well.