Cheam High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

Cheam High School provides a safe, vibrant and welcoming community for pupils. The school's values of respect and responsibility are embedded within the life of the school. The curriculum is broad and ambitious. Pupils, including students in the sixth form, study a range of subjects and courses that reflect their interests and prepare them well for the next stage of their education. Teachers are highly knowledgeable about their subject areas. The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils conduct themselves exceptionally well. Pupils feel safe and are well cared for. They enjoy great relationships with caring and dedicated staff. The school celebrates differences. Discrimination is never tolerated. Pupils enjoy school and attend well. The school provides well for pupils' wider personal development. There are many opportunities for pupils to develop their character through the prefect system and a varied enrichment programme. Parents and carers share positive views about the school's academic and pastoral support. They value the school's nurturing community and the range of extra-curricular activities on offer. The school has high expectations of pupils' achievement. Pupils are keen to do well, and many are ambitious for their futures. Their successes are reflected in the outcomes they achieve at the end of Year 11. Across the school, including the sixth form, pupils typically learn well.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes staff do not identify pupils' gaps and misconceptions systematically when checking for understanding. This means that some pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, are not consistently secure in their knowledge and deeper understanding. The school should ensure that all staff have the expertise to identify gaps and adapt learning to support pupils, so they can develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject content taught.

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