Bartley Green School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 March 2023

Leaders at Bartley Green School have high aspirations for every pupil. For the most part, pupils achieve these aspirations. Leaders have developed a broad and ambitious curriculum. Pupils understand and follow the school values of aspiration, achievement, acceptance, respect, resilience and reward. Warm and respectful relationships characterise life at this school. Pupils are happy and safe. Pupils value the support staff give them. There is a purposeful atmosphere around the school. Pupils say they can focus on their learning well. Most teachers act on any disrupted learning quickly and address the issues effectively. During social times, most pupils behave well. A small number of pupils use derogatory and inappropriate language. If incidents of poor language or behaviour do occur, leaders deal with them swiftly. The extra-curricular programme is rich and diverse. Pupils regularly take part in a range of clubs, such as sports, music and sailing. Many pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), attend regularly. Pupils value being able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. Opportunities, such as the recent trips to Geneva and London for science, modern foreign languages and art, enhance the curriculum.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not yet implemented a rigorous and sequential approach to supporting those pupils who struggle to read. This means that some pupils do not get the precise help and support they need to catch up with their peers. Leaders should continue with their current plans to implement an effective system to support the weakest readers.
• Some teachers do not use assessment strategies well enough to check what pupils know. As a result, in some subjects, pupils have gaps in their knowledge. Leaders should ensure that all teachers use assessment strategies consistently to check on what pupils know and can do.
• Some disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND do not behave well enough during lessons. Too many are moved to other classes. When this happens, this can disrupt the learning of others. Leaders must continue to raise expectations of behaviour throughout the school community to ensure that no learning is disrupted and that all pupils can self-regulate in line with these expectations.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)