Wadham School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Wadham School has high expectations of its pupils. The school is ambitious for pupils to experience 'life in all its fullness'. Pupils learn a broad and interesting curriculum. For example, when they join in Year 7, pupils study two modern foreign languages. However, despite an improvement in academic outcomes, some pupils do not achieve as highly as they could. Many pupils describe the positive culture that pervades the school. However, students in the sixth form do not feel the same sense of belonging. They share concerns about the quality of provision that they receive. Most pupils say they feel safe. They have trusted adults they can confide in. A minority of pupils raise concerns about bullying. However, the school takes effective action to resolve any reported incidents. Pupils enjoy a range of activities beyond the academic curriculum. These include the annual activities week, sporting clubs and the chance to write for the pupil led newspaper, 'The Quill'. There are also many opportunities for pupils to be positive role models and support their peers. For example, as trained well-being ambassadors or members of the school council. Students in the sixth form are reading buddies to younger pupils.

What the school should improve

• The effectiveness of teaching across the curriculum, including for students in the sixth form, varies across classes and subjects. As a result, some pupils do not build their knowledge successfully over time and do not achieve as well as they should. The school should ensure that pupils, and students in the sixth form, receive consistently high-quality teaching across all subject areas.
• In this period of significant change, the impact of new initiatives is not evaluated in enough detail. Therefore, the school does not have a clear understanding of what is working well and what is not. The school should ensure that there is a more precise evaluation of the impact of its school improvement strategies.
• Attendance, including for students in the sixth form, is too low. A high number of pupils are persistently absent from school. As a result, they miss a significant amount of learning so have gaps in their knowledge of the curriculum. The school should continue to embed the work that has started to ensure that pupils' attendance to school increases rapidly.

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