Humphrey Perkins School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 April 2025

Humphrey Perkins School has high expectations of what all pupils will achieve. It provides a challenging curriculum that is designed well to meet pupils' aspirations. A large proportion of pupils study the English Baccalaureate subjects at GCSE. The school has implemented changes to the curriculum structure, teaching and learning. As a result, pupils receive an effective quality of education. Typically, pupils enjoy their learning and have positive attitudes towards school. The school has recently raised its expectations of pupils' conduct. Most pupils now live up to these. They follow routines well and typically behave well in lessons. Low-level disruption is not tolerated. As a result, the school has a calm and orderly atmosphere. Pupils are safe. They enjoy social times together and work collaboratively in lessons. The school provides numerous opportunities for pupils to enjoy new experiences. These include visits to Poland, Austria and Iceland, mentoring younger pupils and undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Pupils are enthused by the opportunities provided by the performing arts events in the school and beyond. For example, the annual school musical, including British Sign Language interpreted performances, and orchestral performances at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Through these activities, pupils develop confidence.

What the school should improve

• Most of the time, the school checks pupils' learning carefully and adapts activities accordingly, so that all pupils have a secure understanding before they move on. However, this is sometimes not the case. As a result, on occasion, suitable adjustments to lessons are not made for pupils. This means gaps in pupils' knowledge and understanding persist. The school should ensure that staff respond effectively to what pupils do and do not know in lessons and adapt their teaching and future planning to address these gaps.
• The programme to support pupils' personal development is not consistently embedded. Pupils' understanding of certain aspects such as the fundamental British values is not secure. A few pupils do not show consistent respect for their peers. The school should take further action to enhance this aspect of their wider curriculum to further develop a respectful culture across school.
• A few temporary staff do not routinely deliver the school's expectations in relation to pupils' behaviour. This results in learning being disrupted during some lessons. The school should ensure that staff understand how to secure the highest standards of behaviour and implement the agreed policies consistently well.

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