Exmouth Community College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 February 2024

Exmouth Community school is a large, split-site school. Pupils move across the whole site for their lessons. At these times, most pupils conduct themselves well. Pupils feel safe in school. However, a few pupils do not behave appropriately at these times. The school has raised the expectations for pupils. They have changed structures to support this. Pupils say this is starting to have a positive effect. Most pupils understand and respect the changes. When pupils have a concern, they know who they can speak to. The school provides different ways for pupils to report their concerns, including an online 'worry' button. Some pupils feel other pupils are not always respectful towards one another. When pupils report bullying or inappropriate language, the school follows this up. Pupils participate in a broad range of extra-curricular activities. The school is encouraging more pupils to take up opportunities. This includes many sports, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and a range of performance and orchestral groups. The house band meet weekly to perform. Pupils relished their involvement in a recent school production of 'Matilda'. The school has recently enhanced the leadership roles it offers to pupils. Sixth-form students take roles as student ambassadors and contribute to the wider school community.

What the school should improve

• Although leaders have developed the curriculum rapidly, some parts of the curriculum are not well implemented. When this happens, pupils struggle to retain and remember their learning. The school needs to ensure staff are supported with the knowledge and expertise they need to deliver the full curriculum.
• Adaptations to support pupils with SEND are not applied effectively across the curriculum. As a result, some pupils with SEND do not learn the curriculum well. The school must make sure appropriate adaptation is in place, so pupils with SEND are better supported with their learning.
• Leaders have recently raised expectations of pupils' behaviour, but new systems need time to be fully embedded. As a result, although pupils' conduct has improved in lessons, some pupils still do not behave well at social times and when moving around the school. The school needs to make sure the new systems are consistently implemented.

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