Becket Keys Church of England Free School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Outstanding leadership from the headteacher has, in a very short space of time, established a new school with a strong ethos and a culture of high achievement. His vision, values and beliefs have created an excellent environment in which to learn. This is highly valued by staff, students, parents and carers.

Teaching is consistently good and often outstanding, enabling students to achieve or exceed expected progress. High aspiration is embedded across the school. Work is suitably challenging and students are expected to write at length.

They understand what they need to do and how to improve their work because the markin...g of their books is of a high quality. Students' books show that, over time, they respond well to the high level of challenge provided. Their work is of a high quality, although at times it is not well-presented.

Careful targeting of additional resources enables students known to be eligible for the pupil premium to progress as well as others. High quality nurturing and intensive support for disabled students and those who have special educational needs enable them to progress as well as others because they are given additional help to read and write with confidence, and catch-up with their learning. Behaviour and safety are outstanding.

Students feel safe, free from bullying and thoroughly enjoy school. Students are polite and courteous. They work hard and wear their uniforms with pride.

A broad curriculum is complemented with a wide range of enrichment activities after school. There are fewer enrichment opportunities during lunchtimes. Professional governance from the sponsor Trust and the diocese supports the strategic leadership of the school well and provides additional services to enable it to improve further.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than average. It opened in September 2012 with 125 students in Year 7. A further 150 students joined the school in September 2013, so it now caters for Years 7 and 8 students.

In time, the school will provide for students between 11 and 19 years of age. The school is undergoing a major refurbishment of its facilities. It is an academy free school sponsored by the Russell Education Trust.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium is below average. This is extra funding provided by the government for children eligible for free school meals, those looked after by the local authority or those with a parent in the armed services. The majority of students are White British.

The proportion of students whose first language is not English, mostly from Black African and Asian backgrounds, is below average. The proportions of disabled students and those that have special educational needs, mostly moderate learning difficulties, supported by school action, school action plus or by a statement of special educational needs are higher than average. The school does not use alternative provision.

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