Merstham Park School

Overview

Leaders have created a school where “learning and success are a top priority” and pupils’ well-being is central to the ethos. The report describes an environment where pupils are “happy and proud,” behave well, and benefit from an “ambitious, broad and balanced” curriculum with extensive extra-curricular opportunities.

Strengths

• The curriculum is generally “carefully considered and well sequenced,” designed to build knowledge and vocabulary over time.
• Teachers use “strong subject knowledge” to present information clearly and skilfully employ assessment to identify misunderstandings.
• Reading is a clear priority, with effective interventions that have a “noticeable impact” on pupils’ fluency and learning.
• Pupils receive relevant careers guidance and are “well informed about the next stage of their education.”
• Staff are supported by leaders who are “mindful of their well-being and workload,” fostering a positive culture.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum is “not as well sequenced,” meaning pupils sometimes struggle to link new learning with prior knowledge.
• The implementation of the PSHE curriculum is not as effective as it could be, with some teachers lacking the expertise to challenge misconceptions or manage debate effectively.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that leaders have developed robust systems to identify pupils at risk and that staff receive regular training.