Bedale High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school There has been a step change in the quality of education at Bedale.

The new leadership team has dealt with weaker aspects of provision 'head on'. They have secured substantial improvements at school. The most striking improvement has been in the standards of behaviour of pupils.

Pupils now behave well when moving around the site and most focus well on their learning. Pupils, parents and teachers agree that behaviour is now much better at school. Senior leaders monitor the quality of education at school well.

They know where strengths lie and where further improvements are needed. School development plans are sensible. Leaders now... have a track record of improving the school.

Faculty leaders play their part in developing their areas well. They, too, are pivotal in ensuring that the quality of education is good. Pupils make good progress from their starting points in a wide range of subjects.

School leaders are aware that most-able pupils are not currently making the progress of which they are capable. A little variation in the progress that pupils make between subjects still exists. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and plan well to ensure that most pupils make good progress.

Teachers listen intently to what pupils say and question them well to push them forward in their learning. Teachers are increasingly effective at meeting the needs of different pupils. For example, support networks and transition for service children help teachers to meet these pupils' individual needs.

Disadvantaged pupils currently at school are making strong progress. Leaders acknowledge, however, that sometimes the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not met equally effectively in all subjects. Pupils develop into rounded citizens and grasp any wider opportunities that they are given.

There is an atmosphere of tolerance and respect at school. Student leaders have a positive impact. Extra-curricular opportunities are welcomed by pupils.

Most pupils are committed to their learning. A few would do even better in their studies with even greater commitment and resilience. Rates of attendance are increasing strongly and the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent is decreasing.

Although the use of fixed-term exclusion is decreasing, leaders accept that this remains too high. The school's vision is that by the time pupils leave school in Year 11, a typical pupil will be 'a successful learner, a confident individual and a responsible citizen'. They are successful in this endeavour.

Information about this school

Bedale High School is smaller than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below the national average. There is a substantial number of service children at school.

A high proportion of these arrive at times other than at the beginning of Year 7. The proportion of pupils with SEND is average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is also close to the national average.

The school works in collaboration with outside providers as part of the curriculum on offer for pupils. At the time of the inspection, these outside providers were PT Hub and Darlington College. Since the time of the previous inspection, there have been substantial changes to the leadership of the school.

The headteacher, deputy headteachers and assistant headteachers are new. An extended leadership team is in place which includes colleagues with responsibility for English and mathematics. A new faculty leadership structure is in place, which includes academic and pastoral leaders.