Weydon School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 April 2023

Pupils are happy and successful at this school. They have high expectations of themselves and are ambitious for their futures. The motto 'Believe, Belong and Care' conveys the ethos for excellence which is also supportive and nurturing. Relationships between pupils and teachers are strong. They form the basis of an effective partnership where pupils achieve highly and develop to be responsible, confident individuals. Pupils are kind and respectful. One pupil, echoing the views of many, said: 'It is not about learning tolerance, it is about having acceptance for people who have a uniqueness about them.' Incidents of unkindness and bullying are rare. Pupils feel safe. They appreciate the high-quality teaching and the support that staff provide for their well-being. Pupils extend their learning through diverse opportunities to develop interests, knowledge and skills. They benefit from many different activities at lunchtime and after school. There are over 70 different clubs to join, including 30 sporting leagues and activities such as debating. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly complimentary about the school. A typical response from one parent said: 'I am delighted with how well my child is getting on. She is thriving academically and personally and has been given a huge range of opportunities. I couldn't recommend it more highly.'

What the school should improve

• Too many pupils, particularly pupils who are disadvantaged and pupils with SEND, are persistently absent from school. This hinders their learning and progress. Leaders must ensure that their work to identify and address the barriers to good attendance for these pupils is applied robustly and consistently.

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