Kingsmead School

Overview

The report states that the school “requires special measures” because it is “failing to provide an acceptable standard of education” and leaders are “not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement.” While pupils generally achieve well and enjoy a broad curriculum, serious failures in safeguarding and governance mean the school is not currently providing a safe or compliant environment.

Strengths

• Pupils “develop secure knowledge and skills” with achievement “consistently close to national averages,” and disadvantaged pupils make “notable gains.”
• The curriculum is “broad and balanced,” with teachers who are “generally subject experts” using effective strategies to support recall and understanding.
• Leaders have created an “inclusive culture” with robust support for vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Personal development is strong, with a “purposeful” curriculum that equips pupils with life skills, careers guidance, and an understanding of British values.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure “correct statutory pre-employment checks and vetting are always carried out” and that the single central record has no gaps.
• Governors and trustees must establish a “robust process to oversee all policy and practice that keeps children safe” and strengthen systems to evaluate leaders’ actions.
• Leaders should ensure accurate monitoring of attendance, particularly for pupils in alternative provision, and address issues of bullying and discriminatory language.

Safeguarding

The report states that “safeguarding standards not met” because leaders have not ensured an “open and positive culture around safeguarding” and have failed to complete required pre-employment checks, posing “potential risks to pupils.”