Weald School, The

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The headteacher, senior leaders and governing body have extremely high expectations for the school. Their clear and ambitious vision of excellence is shared by all staff and students. As a result of strong leadership and teamwork, standards of teaching and achievement have improved and are high.

Achievement is outstanding across all key stages. All groups of students, including disabled students and those with special educational needs, make rapid and sustained progress. The percentage of students attaining five A* to C grades including English and mathematics is above the national average.

The quality of teaching is out...standing across the school, including in the sixth form. Teachers use their excellent subject knowledge to support learning very well and have the highest expectations of what their students will achieve. In a number of subjects students are given good guidance about how to improve their work.

The school's highly effective curriculum is broad and balanced and meets the needs, interests and aspirations of all groups of students extremely well, contributing to their success. Students' behaviour and attitudes are outstanding. They have a thirst and enthusiasm for learning and are keen to do their best in lessons and all other aspects of school life.

Relationships are excellent and students overwhelmingly agree that the school is a safe and happy place to be in. The school offers students an extensive range of extra-curricular activities which they greatly appreciate and which extend and enrich their experiences both within and beyond the school day. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is supported exceptionally well.

The popular and successful sixth form is outstanding. Teaching is strong and as a consequence, students achieve very well with the vast majority going on to study at the university of their choice. They receive outstanding care, guidance and support and are well equipped to take the next steps in their educational or working lives.

The governing body is well informed about all aspects of the school and is highly effective in supporting the headteacher and senior leaders in their pursuit of continual improvement and excellence.

Information about this school

The Weald School is a larger than average-sized 11 to 18 mixed comprehensive school, with a specialism in sport. The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for specific groups including looked after children, students known to be eligible for free school meals and children of service families, is lower than average.

The school has a small number of looked after children. The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs supported through school action is in line with the national average. However, the proportion of students supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is higher than average.

The number of students who join or leave the school part way through their education is below the national average. Most students in the school are of White British heritage. The proportion of students who speak English as an additional language is very low compared to the national average.

There are 61 students eligible for Year 7 catch-up funding, which is for students who did not achieve the expected Level 4 in reading or mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2. A small number of Key Stage 4 students receive part of their education off site at either Brinsbury College in Pulboroughor at Central Sussex College in Crawley. The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.

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