Bohunt Horsham

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils rise to the school's high expectations because they understand that a positive environment is beneficial for everyone. As a result, they behave well and are considerate. Pupils are taught how to debate and discuss.

They use these skills in lesson discussions and to make the most of 'pupil voice' activities to express their views.

Pupils benefit from how well teachers know what each individual needs in order to achieve well. Staff use the school's innovative technology to make sure that all pupils receive the help and feedback they need to improve their learning.

Pupils recognise this and are consistently keen to improve their knowledge.

Pupils... value how the school helps them understand their own well-being and how to stay safe. They consider staff to be caring and are confident that staff will help when needed.

Pupils are encouraged to be ambitious in considering their aspirations for their life beyond school. This includes useful careers sessions, which pupils look forward to.

The school's enrichment programme is developing as the school grows.

Pupils participate in a wide range of clubs and activities, including sports and cultural events. Pupils can recollect fond memories of performances and trips that they have enjoyed.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

This is a new school that has been growing quickly.

The school's dedicated headteacher, the staff and the trust are collectively determined to make sure that the school retains its highly positive culture as it grows. The school's development has been carefully planned, and the systems and processes in place to support this are effective. Pupils who joined the school when it first opened are proud of how the school community has remained kind and supportive.

They are supported by staff who share the school's founding values of high expectations and ambition.

Pupils achieve well in their lessons. Teachers consistently check how much pupils know.

They are good at using the school's digital classroom technology to identify which pupils need additional help. Pupils like the immediate feedback they receive in lessons and following assessments. Curriculum leaders use different information to identify where teachers need further guidance or training.

This means that leaders, along with the trust, help teachers to strengthen their teaching practice. This includes specific training on how to ensure that the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are carefully identified and that they benefit from any adaptations made to their learning.

The planned curriculum helps pupils to develop and use their subject knowledge as active citizens in the world beyond school.

An example of this is pupils confidently using their scientific understanding to make sense of articles in the news or on social media. Planning of the knowledge that pupils need, and how they will practise using it, is secure. This means that in most subjects, pupils' learning builds during their time at the school.

However, in a small number of subjects, the teaching of the curriculum is more variable. This is because the curriculum is not as well understood by staff. The school recognises this and continues to support all staff through regular training.

Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe through tutor time sessions and focus days. Planning and sequencing of relationships and sex education and health education are age appropriate. The school is continuing to ensure that all aspects of personal, social, health and economic education are as well considered to ensure that pupils feel prepared for life in modern Britain.

Pupils' attitudes towards school are exceptionally positive. Attendance is strong, and the school is committed to helping every pupil to attend regularly. Pupils and parents and carers consider the school to have a 'family feel'.

They are very positive about how well staff know pupils. One pupil remarked, 'Teachers are passionate about making sure that we are okay.' Pastoral care teams are quick to provide guidance and support as soon as these are needed.

Pupils know whom to talk to if they have any concerns. This results in calm and cooperative interaction that helps everyone learn.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• There is variation in how well the school's curriculum is implemented in a small number of subjects. This means that pupils are not always learning as much as they could. The school must continue to develop teachers' skills and understanding of the curriculum as it is embedded across the school.