East Bergholt High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Students now make good progress from their individual starting points. Previous weaknesses in mathematics have been tackled effectively and students achieve well in this subject.

Disabled students and those who have special educational needs achieve well. Students supported by the pupil premium achieve as well as their classmates in lessons. Most teaching is good in the school and some is outstanding.

Students behave well in lessons and around the school in general. They feel safe and incidences of bullying are rare. Students who face personal challenges are well cared for, and make positive gains in their learning.

The choice o...f subjects meets students' needs well. Students can opt for a wide range of qualifications and they are supported well by their teachers. The school works well in partnership with other organisations to secure good outcomes for its students.

The headteacher, supported by his leadership team and the governing body, has earned the respect of the staff and has raised standards in the school since the previous inspection. The quality of teaching is monitored well. Consequently, this is a school which continues to improve.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : A small proportion of teaching still requires improvement because not all teachers are making good use of information on students' achievement when planning lessons. Although there are some good examples of the development of students' literacy, there is no clear strategy in place for developing literacy skills across the school. Not all teachers' marking offers clear guidance to students as to how they can improve the quality of their work.

The impact of teaching assistants' work is inconsistent. The governing body's access to training on interpreting information on students' achievement has been limited.

Information about this school

East Bergholt High School is smaller than the average-sized secondary school and the majority of its students are of White British heritage.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in the care of the local authority and for children known to be eligible for free school meals, is well below the national average. The proportion of students who are disabled or have special educational needs and are supported through school action is broadly in line with the national average. A below-average proportion of students supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs attend the school.

A small number of students in Years 10 and 11 attend off-site provision. Providers include Hadleigh High School, Holbrook High School, Suffolk One and Otley College of Agriculture and Horticulture. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum levels expected for students' attainment and progress.