Kidsgrove Secondary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 April 2023

Kidsgrove has a close-knit community feel. Its small size means everyone knows each other well. Relationships are warm and pupils know their voice matters. There is a culture of trust, which means pupils feel able to raise concerns. They are confident that any bullying would be dealt with. There have been significant improvements in all aspects of school life over recent years. This includes expectations around pupils' behaviour, the quality of learning experiences and the school environment. Pupils, parents and carers are positive about these changes, especially those that have happened since the headteacher joined the school. Pupils are proud to attend Kidsgrove and staff enjoy working there. From starting their day with a bagel, to the provision of an after-school homework club, to being given their own electronic tablet, pupils are helped to be in the best possible mindset for successful learning. They apply themselves well in lessons. They respect each other's differing choices in how to spend their social time. Pupils enjoy the extra-curricular opportunities, such as football and chess club, that are on offer, but would like a wider choice of activities. They appreciate how well the school prepares them for their next steps in education and life.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, teachers are not choosing appropriate strategies to check that pupils have understood their learning. As a result, some pupils are expected to move on to the next step in their learning before they are ready. Other pupils complete tasks quickly because they have already secured their learning; they then wait for their peers to complete the tasks before they can move on. Leaders should ensure that the strong practice seen in some subjects is shared so that the quality and use of checks on learning are consistent across different subjects.
• Not all learning is adapted well enough to meet the differing needs and abilities of pupils, including those with SEND. This means that some pupils do not receive the support they need to secure the important building blocks of key knowledge or access more complex learning. Consequently, some pupils are not making the progress of which they are capable. Leaders should ensure that all teachers have the skills and knowledge to effectively adapt learning when necessary.

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