Monkseaton Coastal School

Overview

Monkseaton Middle School is described as a "much-improved school" that is now providing a "good quality of education." Leaders have "raised the bar" by strengthening the curriculum and teaching, resulting in a calm environment where pupils behave well and take pride in their work. The report highlights significant progress since the previous inspection, with effective systems now in place to sustain improvements.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "well planned" and "suitably ambitious," with teachers bringing subjects to life using "good resources."
• Pupils behave well, are "considerate of one another," and benefit from a strong pastoral system where bullying "hardly ever happens."
• There is a "broad extra-curricular offer" that pupils value, with around three quarters attending at least one club.
• Leaders have promoted reading effectively, helping pupils broaden their vocabulary and find "more meaning within texts."
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) generally receive good support, with teaching assistants helping them access the same curriculum content.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure a small group of pupils lacking secure phonics knowledge receive "more intensive support" and frequent practice with decodable books.
• Leaders should monitor teaching more closely to ensure all teachers routinely check pupils have grasped new knowledge before moving on.
• Leaders must check that teachers consistently follow adaptations set out in SEND support plans so pupils’ learning is not undermined.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong culture of safeguarding" where adults are well trained and pupils feel safe within a respectful community.