The Kimberley School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The school has improved significantly over the last year. The provisional 2017 examination results show that many pupils made above-average progress from their starting points across a wide range of subjects.

Pupils are making good progress in English across the school and make at least average progress in mathematics. Performance in both subjects has improved considerably. In the previous two years, almost all pupils had made poor progress.

The headteacher has led the school with skill since taking up his post one year ago. He has set out a clear vision. Staff and pupils recognise and welcome the improvements made over the previous 12 mo...nths.

The established and experienced senior staff appreciate the clarity brought to their roles. They provide good support for leadership. Leaders of subjects and other aspects of the school are increasingly developing their confidence.

Some are currently reliant on additional support provided by senior leaders. A new chair of the governing body is starting to provide greater focus for the work of governors. Governors are aware that further work is needed to ensure that reports on the use of additional funding meet requirements.

Across all year groups, pupils understand and comply with the school's revised approach to managing behaviour. Disruption to lessons is rare. Pupils behave well at lunchtime and breaktime.

Those spoken with say they feel safe and are not concerned about bullying. Teaching is increasingly effective across the school. Leaders have an accurate understanding of areas where teaching is strongest and where further support is required.

Further work is required to improve aspects of a small amount of teaching, especially in science and mathematics. This is because some learning is occasionally too slow, or does not engage pupils' interest. Some gaps in pupils' previous learning have not been identified well enough.

Disadvantaged pupils are increasingly making good progress across the school. A few are still catching up because they have previously fallen behind. Pupils are making good progress in the sixth form in a wide range of subjects.

Performance in A-level subjects has improved and an increasing proportion of students are now making very good progress.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school does not comply with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish about the use of pupil premium funding or Year 7 literacy and numeracy catch-up premium.

This is larger than the average-sized secondary school. It became part of the East Midlands Education Trust in December 2015. The headteacher took up post in September 2016.

Most pupils are of White British heritage and speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils known to be disadvantaged and supported through the pupil premium is below average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 11. The school meets the Department for Education's definition of a coasting school based on key stage 4 academic performance results in 2014, 2015 and 2016. A very few pupils spend part or all of the week in alternative provision at other sites or learning establishments.

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