Highams Park School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 May 2024

There is a warm and friendly atmosphere at this school. Pupils are well-cared for by dedicated staff who take time to get to know their pupils well. Leaders are ambitious for pupils' learning and pupils have many opportunities to learn from visiting speakers and to hear about a wide range of careers. Pupils in Years 10 and 12 benefit from an extensive work experience programme. The sixth form is a key strength of the school. Students achieve very well in their sixth form studies and benefit from an extensive range of wider opportunities preparing them well for adulthood and further study. The recent actions of leaders have led to a noticeable improvement in behaviour. In lessons, behaviour rarely disrupts learning. Pupils know the rules and, overall, they follow them. This is helping teachers to deliver the curriculum more effectively. Pupils are taught how to be good citizens and how to take care of their physical and mental health. They contribute to charities and learn about the work of organisations supporting those in need. Older pupils are trained to support younger ones with their reading. Many pupils successfully complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award and Sports Leadership Award.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes in key stages 3 and 4, teachers do not routinely check that pupils have understood the learning before moving on. This means that errors and misconceptions are missed and that some pupils are not able to make connections in their learning over time. The school should ensure that teachers check pupils' understanding and address any aspects that pupils are finding difficult.
• The quality of work in pupils' books is variable. This is because sometimes expectations for the subject are not clearly set out and insisted upon. This slows progress and means some pupils do not develop the disciplinary rigour they should. Leaders should ensure that expectations are clearly communicated to pupils and followed up with consistency.
• Leaders have rightly focused their attention on improving behaviour. This has had a positive impact. However, a small proportion of pupils are disinterested in learning and have poor attitudes to their education. This is not consistently picked up and addressed by staff. Leaders should ensure that staff identify pupils who are not participating in the lesson and provide the support needed to ensure that these pupils engage in the curriculum and gain the confidence to seek help when they need it.

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