Eggbuckland Community College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 May 2024

Eggbuckland Community College encourages pupils to show tenacity, integrity, compassion and knowledge. However, the school does not have high enough expectations of what pupils are able to do. The standard of work accepted from pupils is below what they can produce when suitably challenged. In particular, pupils struggle to write at length with high levels of technical accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar. This is hindering pupils' and sixth-form students' achievement. Pupils behave well. They have a clear understanding of the school's behaviour expectations and consequences. When adults uphold these expectations, pupils appreciate that they can learn without disruption. Bullying is infrequent, and pupils have adults they can turn to if they have concerns. Pupils feel safe. Pupils enjoy taking part in extra-curricular trips and visits, for example entering competitive sports, theatre trips and completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. Pupils recognise the recent widening of opportunities available to them through the introduction of new clubs and the upcoming activities week. The small school council is led by sixth-form students and includes pupil representatives from all year groups. This gives pupils a voice to make suggestions and share their views.

What the school should improve

• The school does not have high enough expectations of what pupils are able to do. Adults accept poor-quality work when pupils are capable of more. The trust should ensure that the expectations of what pupils and sixth-form students can achieve rise rapidly.
• The implementation of the curriculum is not sufficiently adapted to meet the needs of all pupils. Consequently, some pupils are not challenged and those who require additional support do not receive it. The trust should ensure that the curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of all pupils.
• Assessment is not effectively used to identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge or misconceptions. When these are not addressed and corrected pupils lack the foundational knowledge needed to learn more challenging content. The trust should ensure that assessment accurately informs the adjustments needed to the curriculum to ensure that pupils' knowledge and understanding are secure.
• The actions taken to improve the quality of education have not, until recently, been swift or ambitious enough. The trust should ensure that leaders at all levels, including governance, can accurately monitor, assess and challenge the quality of education provided by the school.

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