Bishop Barrington Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement The progress Year 11 pupils made from their starting points by the time they left the school in 2015, 2016 and 2017 was not good enough. It reflected underachievement by some groups of pupils overall and in key subjects such as English and mathematics, especially for disadvantaged pupils.

Pupils' current rates of progress in Years 7 to Year 11 are improving but still vary too much across subjects, year groups and for different groups of pupils. Progress is not consistently good, with pockets of underperformance and slower progress still apparent. School leaders, governors and the local authority were slow to act, to rectify th...e clear weaknesses evident in the 2015 and 2016 results.

Consequently, some similar weaknesses are apparent in the 2017 results. Leaders have not done enough to ensure that teaching is strong enough to secure good outcomes for pupils across a range of subjects. Leaders have not used additional funding for disadvantaged pupils effectively over time.

Progress in mathematics has been poor over time. The recent improvement in achievement for current pupils is slower in mathematics than in other subjects. The quality and impact of teaching and assessment on pupils' learning are variable.

Recent improvements are not consistently embedded within departments and across subjects. The school has the following strengths School leaders and governors know what needs to be done and their work is starting to have some impact. The school is calm and orderly.

Pupils behave well and relationships between staff and pupils are positive on the whole. Staff ensure that pupils are kept safe and secure. Pupils feel that the school is a friendly and safe place to be.

The quality of teaching and its impact on pupils' learning and progress in physical education are noteworthy. Pupils are making good progress as a result. The provision for pupils' personal development and welfare is good.

The curriculum in this area and the range of extra-curricular activities the school provide are effective.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school is an average-sized secondary school.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through the pupil premium is above average. The proportion of pupils who receive support for SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is above the national average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 11. The school uses alternative providers for a total of nine pupils. The providers are Education Plus North East and Cornerstone.