Tanfield School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school Over time, weak and variable standards of teaching, within subjects and across year groups, have led to pupils making inadequate progress. Assessment processes do not enable pupils to address misconceptions. On too many occasions, misunderstandings persist.

This undermines pupils' progress. Standards of writing are highly variable. Too many pupils, particularly boys, do not write as well as they should, and this limits their progress across the curriculum.

Catch-up funding has not been used to address weaknesses in literacy swiftly enough. In 2017 and 2018, pupils' progress was well-below average in the vast majority of subjects. A...lthough improving, pupils' progress remains weak in too many subjects.

Despite signs of slight improvement, disadvantaged pupils make weak progress over time and their attainment is poor. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make much weaker progress than their peers. Although differences are diminishing in some year groups, boys make weaker progress than girls, and expectations of what pupils, especially boys, can achieve are not high enough.

The school has the following strengths In the 18 months since his arrival, the headteacher has taken effective action to improve teaching and leadership. He has a clear vision for improvement that is influencing positive changes in the learning culture. Leaders are introducing new routines to improve behaviour and standards of teaching.

Classroom environments are becoming more purposeful, although variance in behaviour still exists. The new deputy headteacher has worked closely with year managers to improve behaviour and welfare. The last term has seen a marked improvement in attendance and a significant reduction in fixed-term exclusions.

Leaders are developing a curriculum to better meet the needs of all pupils, building knowledge, skills and understanding to support their aspirations, progress and personal development.

Information about this school

Tanfield School is smaller than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium is above average.

Almost all pupils are White British and speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils with SEND who access support is average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is above average.

Since the previous inspections, there have been significant changes to senior leadership. A new headteacher was appointed in June 2017 and a new deputy headteacher joined the school in September 2018. A new chair and vice-chair of the governing body are also in place.

Since September 2018, the school has been working with the local authority and local schools to improve the quality of teaching and leadership. The school currently uses three alternative providers. These are Delta Independent School, Education Plus and the Gap at Fyndoune Community College.