East Bergholt High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 June 2023

There are high expectations for pupils' achievement and behaviour. These are largely realised. Pupils benefit from newly adopted approaches to how the curriculum is taught and they learn well. Pupils understand individual difference, showing respect for other people's characteristics and beliefs. Pupils are enthusiastic about the opportunities they have to get involved in different things, such as clay club, chess club, drama and sports. Leaders provide transport to make sure pupils who live some distance from the school can attend. Behaviour has improved markedly since all pupils returned to school following the pandemic. Most of the time, the environment is conducive to pupils learning well. There are still occasions when this is not the case. This impacts negatively on some pupils' enjoyment of school. There is not much bullying and, when it is reported, it is mostly dealt with well. Pupils are able to share concerns they might have about their safety. This helps to keep them safe. However, leaders have not been clear enough about how bullying is dealt with and about how and when to pass on different types of worry. This has resulted in some pupils not understanding well how and whether to report concerns to staff.

What the school should improve

• Some pupils misbehave and some teachers do not deal with this as well as they should. This means that pupils' learning is sometimes disrupted. Leaders need to ensure that all teachers use leaders' approach to managing behaviour at all times.
• Leaders have not been clear enough with pupils about when and how pupils should pass on concerns, or what will happen as a result. Consequently, pupils are not always aware of who they should talk to if they have a worry, or of what might happen if they pass on a concern. Leaders need to make sure that all pupils know who to talk to in which circumstances, and what sort of actions might follow.

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