Kingsmead School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 April 2026

Pupils' welfare has not been sufficiently managed because the required pre-employment checks and vetting of new staff do not meet statutory requirements. Until recently, governors, trustees and leaders have taken too much information on trust. They have not overseen key aspects of the school's work, including some aspects of safeguarding. This means that pupils may not have been kept safe. Pupils typically enjoy learning at Kingsmead School. They attend school regularly and benefit from an ambitious and well-thought-out curriculum. Consequently, pupils learn and achieve in line with their peers nationally. They learn the important knowledge they need for the next stage of their education. Staff know pupils well, including students in the sixth form. Teachers understand the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and ensure these pupils receive the support they need. Some of the school's procedures to manage matters around attendance, such as the use of alternative provision and taking pupils off the school roll, do not follow guidance. Pupils are part of a diverse community. They learn about the importance of being respectful of difference. However, some pupils do not recognise the negative impact of the derogatory or discriminatory language they use. The school gives pupils ample opportunities to develop their sense of belonging. When pupils join the school, they work together to create a clay figure, which is displayed in the school as a happy reminder that they are included in the life of the school. Around school and in class, pupils typically behave well and are responsive to instructions. Pupils take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities that re-enforce the school’s work to develop their character and confidence. The 'readiness curriculum' teaches pupils the skills needed to be successful in adult life. All pupils develop their interests in music by learning to play the violin and the keyboard.

What the school should improve

• Leaders must ensure that the correct statutory pre-employment checks and vetting are always carried out and recorded before new staff are employed at the school.
• Governors and trustees must ensure that there is a robust process to oversee all policy and practice that keeps children safe in school.
• Governors and trustees must strengthen systems to evaluate leaders' actions and make sure that these are having a meaningful and measurable impact.
• Leaders should ensure that they accurately monitor and record the attendance of all pupils, including those being educated off site. They should ensure that processes to remove pupils from the school roll are robust and follow specified guidance.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils have a thorough understanding of the harm caused by bullying and the use of derogatory and discriminatory language.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently implement the most effective strategies to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities in the classroom.

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