Simon Balle All-Through School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Leaders, managers and governors have been relentless in their quest to make this an outstanding school. They have managed change exceptionally well, and their efforts have now reaped rewards for pupils. Leaders at all levels play a significant role in school improvement.

They all fully support the school's vision and values. Systems to hold staff to account for their performance are rigorous. High-quality teaching motivates pupils to achieve and makes them outstanding learners.

Teachers use assessment well to plan for learning which challenges all pupils. Pupils' progress is rapid and sustained. All groups of pupils achieve very w...ell across a wide range of subjects.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Relationships between teachers and pupils are very strong. Pupils feel safe in school.

They are very well cared for by staff. Pupils are taught to appreciate people's differences. Equal opportunities underpin the school's moral purpose.

The curriculum is broad and balanced and provides pupils with excellent opportunities to develop their skills and nurture their talent. The school promotes pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development extremely well. Pupils are well equipped to be model British citizens.

The early years provision serves as an excellent springboard to children's educational journey at Simon Balle. Children make strong and sustained progress, and their needs are very well met. Parents and carers, staff and pupils are overwhelmingly positive about the school and its aims.

Communication with parents is highly effective. The sixth-form provision is good. However, students' progress has not been as impressive as that of younger pupils in the school.

Leaders have now carefully considered the suitability of the courses on offer with the aim of providing a fully inclusive sixth form. The quality of the sixth-form improvement planning does not match the high levels of rigour found in the rest of the school.

Information about this school

Simon Balle All-Through School converted to an academy in November 2013.

It became an all-through school in September 2015. The school currently has children in the early years, pupils in Years 1, 2 and 7 to 11, as well as students in the sixth form. The school is larger than the average-sized school.

Most pupils are White British. The proportions of pupils from minority ethnic groups and those who speak English as an additional language are well below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged is well below the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average as is the proportion of pupils who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan. The school makes use of the services of the Rivers Educational Support Centre in Hoddesdon. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

Also at this postcode