Hugh Sexey Church of England Middle School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are “happy and safe” and value their “warm, respectful relationships with staff.” Leaders maintain “high expectations of pupils’ behaviour,” which pupils consistently meet, contributing to a “calm and orderly atmosphere.” The school provides a broad curriculum with well-sequenced learning in most subjects, alongside strong personal development opportunities that foster leadership and civic duty.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes, with bullying occurring “seldom” and issues resolved “swiftly and effectively.”
• The curriculum is “sequenced well” in subjects like science and mathematics, ensuring pupils build on prior knowledge.
• Leaders “identify accurately the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities,” adapting teaching effectively.
• Pupils benefit from a “carefully planned personal, social and health education curriculum” and effective careers guidance.
• Trustees and governors “understand their roles and perform these effectively,” ensuring resources are well managed.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, leaders have not pinpointed the most important knowledge for pupils to learn, meaning pupils do not build detailed subject knowledge in depth.
• Some pupils lack the support needed to improve reading fluency and confidence, hindering their wider learning; the school must ensure an effective reading programme is in place for all who need it.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”