Bushey Meads School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 January 2025

In many places, the school is a calm place to learn. While most pupils behave well, some pupils have mixed experiences. A minority of pupils can disturb the learning of others. Pupils are frustrated that some of their peers are not living up to the school's clearly articulated values. While most staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour, the school's behaviour approaches are not used consistently well. Many pupils have confidence in staff to sort out serious issues. Bullying is dealt with effectively. Prejudicial language is not tolerated. The school is inclusive. Most pupils have positive relationships with staff and with each other. Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are confident, articulate individuals. They take pride in the range of high-quality leadership opportunities available to them. Students in the sixth form, for example, help younger pupils with their reading. Pupils enjoy the rich variety of trips and experiences on offer. School clubs help to promote pupils' engagement in science, technology, computing and mathematics. Students in the sixth form achieve well. This is because the curriculum is well taught and enables students, of all abilities, to succeed. However, weaknesses in the curriculum for pupils in key stages 3 and 4 mean that some pupils do not fulfil their potential.

What the school should improve

• Some pupils' behaviour disrupts learning across parts of the school. Staff do not use the school's behaviour system consistently well. This means that poor behaviour disrupts learning in some lessons. The school should ensure its behaviour system is implemented consistently well so pupils' behaviour improves and learning is not disrupted.
• It is too often the case that disadvantaged pupils are persistently absent. This hinders how well these pupils learn and they miss out on school life. The school should establish an effective strategy for improving the attendance of this group of pupils. Sometimes, teachers do not effectively check pupils' knowledge and understanding. At times, teachers do not spot errors and move on when pupils are not ready. This means pupils do not learn as well as they could. The school should ensure that staff have the necessary support to consistently implement the curriculum well.

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