The Brakenhale School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher is highly ambitious for the future of the school. Parents, staff and pupils are very complimentary about how much the school has improved.

Pupils' achievements have improved rapidly. Leaders check the quality of learning to ensure that pupils make good progress. Teachers value the training they receive.

Accordingly, the quality of teaching for pupils continues to improve. Leaders set high expectations for behaviour and academic progress. Pupils behave well, and the previous high number of exclusions has reduced significantly.

Governors and trustees are extremely knowledgeable about the school. They challenge leade...rs highly effectively about pupils' progress. Pupils' progress in English is very strong.

Progress in science is not as strong and remains a priority for leaders. Previous weaknesses in modern foreign language teaching are being addressed. Current pupils' progress overall is good.

The majority of teachers plan lessons well. As a result, pupils engage well and have positive attitudes to their learning. Pupils are confident, articulate and exceedingly courteous.

Leaders encourage pupils to respect the diversity of people in society. As a result, pupils are tolerant and respectful towards each other. Leaders have improved pupils' attendance, including that of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Pupils' attendance is close to the national average. Pupils with SEND, and those who are particularly vulnerable, are supported extremely well so that they make strong progress from their starting points. Leaders encourage students in the sixth form to be aspirational and ambitious.

Consequently, the number of sixth-form students applying for and securing places at higher education is increasing. Students in the sixth form value the wide range of courses available. They make excellent progress in vocational courses.

Teachers astutely challenge students to deepen their knowledge and understanding. Safeguarding is highly effective. Pupils understand the risks in society and know how to keep themselves safe.

Information about this school

The school is an average-sized secondary school. The majority of pupils (78%) are of White British heritage, with a proportion of minority ethnic groups broadly in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is broadly average and in line with the national average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils (32%) is just above the national average (28%). Currently, a small number of pupils attend off-site provision at College Hall, Wokingham for behavioural and medical needs. The school is part of a multi-academy trust, the Greenshaw Learning Trust.