The Beaconsfield School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Senior leaders' determination and resolve have been pivotal in improving the school.

Governors and staff are committed to the school's continued improvement. Leaders have high expectations and recognise that some aspects of the school still need development. The governing body is ambitious for the school.

Governors hold leaders to account robustly and provide effective challenge on all aspects of pupils' progress. Leaders' actions to improve teaching and pupils' achievement have proved effective. Pupils' progress in most subjects has improved and is set to increase further.

Safeguarding and child protection procedures are effecti...ve. Pupils are taught how to stay safe and they feel safe. In general, teachers' good subject knowledge enables them to plan challenging lessons that are well matched to pupils' needs.

However, some variability remains. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong. Pupils benefit from a well thought out curriculum.

In addition, pupils' experiences at school are enriched by a range of trips, visits and extra-curricular activities. Most pupils attend school regularly and leaders work effectively with families of vulnerable pupils to improve attendance. Current sixth-form students are making strong progress due to teaching that consistently deepens thinking and develops knowledge, skills and understanding.

Careers education is effective. Leaders' actions ensure that pupils are well prepared to make informed decisions about their next steps. Leaders' analysis of strengths and weaknesses is accurate but lacks sharpness and does not incisively evaluate the impact of actions in securing improvement.

Most pupils have largely positive attitudes to their learning. However, pupils' learning, including that of disadvantaged pupils, is at times hindered because pupils do not pay attention well enough.

Information about this school

The Beaconsfield School is a smaller than average, non-selective secondary school and sixth form.

Pupils have broadly average levels of attainment on entry to the school. The majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is below average.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is also below average. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the pupil premium funding is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below average.

The proportion pf pupils with education, health and care plans is above average. The school makes use of two alternative providers. A small number of pupils attend provision at Aspire, and a small number of key stage 5 pupils attend the Jackie Palmer Academy.

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