Hexham Middle School

Overview

Hexham Middle School continues to be a good school, described as a "warm, friendly, caring and enjoyable place to learn." Pupils feel safe, behave exemplarily, and respond well to the school’s high expectations. Leaders provide strong support, ensuring pupils produce high-quality work and benefit from a wide range of activities.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "ambitious for all pupils" and carefully sequenced, helping them remember important knowledge through effective teaching methods.
• Pupils’ behaviour is "exceptionally good," with bullying being rare and any incidents dealt with swiftly and effectively.
• There is a strong focus on wider development, including "55 clubs and activities" and a careers programme that "goes above and beyond the offer expected of schools."
• Reading is a high priority, with early identification of barriers and interventions helping pupils become "confident and fluent readers."
• Staff well-being is prioritised, with leaders being "considerate of the workload and well-being of staff" and providing necessary training.

Areas to improve

• The school should develop SEND support across all subjects so that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are provided with frameworks that encourage independence, as this is not yet consistent in every subject.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a sense of safety and belonging in the school community and pupils learning how to keep themselves safe, including online.