Bilbrook CofE (VC) Middle School

Overview

Bilbrook CofE (VC) Middle School continues to be a good school, where leaders have high aspirations for pupils’ learning and personal development. The school provides an education that prepares pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, extremely well for high school. Pupils enjoy attending, displaying exemplary behaviour and positive attitudes in a safe environment.

Strengths

• The curriculum is described as “highly ambitious and interesting,” with clear routines and effective teaching that promotes deep thinking and high-standard work.
• Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is “very effective,” ensuring all pupils learn the same knowledge through well-adapted learning.
• Reading is a priority, with daily opportunities to read from a diverse range of books and appropriate phonics support for those who have fallen behind.
• Pupils benefit from a comprehensive careers programme and a wide variety of extra-curricular activities in sport and the arts.
• Staff feel valued and well supported, with leaders taking practical steps to manage workload and care for well-being.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum in geography and history is not sufficiently well planned and sequenced, preventing pupils from deepening their knowledge and making links to prior learning.
• Leaders need to ensure that newly appointed subject leaders are afforded the same opportunities as existing staff.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with safeguarding at the heart of everything the school does and a knowledgeable team vigilant in keeping pupils safe.