Herne Bay High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 May 2022

A calm, well-ordered environment at Herne Bay High School ensures that pupils can focus on learning. Everyone working at the school is committed to ensuring that the values of kindness, respect and dedication are woven into every aspect of the school's work. Pupils who spoke to inspectors made it clear that they enjoy the sense of community. They make friends and most build positive relationships with each other and with staff. Sometimes pupils fall out with each other, but clear processes help staff to respond quickly and appropriately. Students in the sixth form lead the way, modelling the behaviour and attitudes expected of others. These students are highly ambitious and make exceptional progress in the sixth form. Difference and individuality are embraced by pupils. Those who spoke to inspectors said that they are all treated equally. While most pupils are happy at school, there is a small number who feel that bullying is not dealt with well enough. Some parents and carers think this too. Swift, appropriate actions are taken by leaders to resolve bullying incidents. However, leaders need to do more to ensure that there is better communication with pupils and parents about how these incidents are resolved.

What the school should improve

• Trustees have not done enough to challenge school leaders' work. This means that some of the school's priorities for improvement have not been identified quickly enough. Despite very recent, rapid improvements, trustees need to further strengthen the knowledge and skills of the board of trustees and hold leaders to account more robustly.
• The school's EBacc entry level is too low. This means that too few pupils achieve the EBacc. Leaders need to ensure that more pupils achieve the EBacc to give them the very best chance of success in the future.
• Leaders have not done enough to communicate with and fully engage parents. This has led to some parents having a highly negative view about some aspects of the school's work, particularly bullying. Leaders need to rapidly improve communication and engagement with parents.
• Some of the topics pupils learn about in the PSHE curriculum are taught later than pupils need to know about them. This means that pupils do not have the knowledge and understanding of topics that could prove useful for them at the right time. Leaders should review the PSHE curriculum to ensure that it is well sequenced. They should implement the new PSHE curriculum without delay.

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