King Edward VI School, in Bury St Edmunds, is thrilled with glowing Ofsted inspection report

A Bury St Edmunds high school where there is a ‘culture of kindness’ and high expectations is celebrating a positive Ofsted report.

The education watchdog carried out an ungraded inspection at King Edward VI School, in Grove Road, last month.

Ofsted said the school had taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.

This was the second ungraded inspection since Ofsted judged the school to be good for overall effectiveness in March 2019.

Inspectors praised the school, with highlights including: pupils enjoy coming to this school; behaviour is calm and orderly; teachers have a high level of subject knowledge; and the curriculum is well organised and there is a culture of high expectations.

The report said: “Pupils are confident to be themselves and develop good relationships with each other and with staff. There is a culture of kindness and support.”

Headteacher Deri O’Regan said: “We are exceptionally proud of our school and our students. It is great for the inspectors to see what we see every day.

“It is a wonderful gift for the school to be positively recognised in the school year when we are celebrating our 475th birthday.”

The Ofsted report said pupils say that behaviour has improved since September when new expectations were introduced.

Pupils line up at the beginning of the day, mobile phones are no longer used in lessons and there are new routines in classrooms and around the school, it continued.

The report also said:

•Pupils feel safe. They know that they can speak to the school if they have concerns and that the school will resolve issues quickly and effectively;

•Pupils know that the school listens to their ideas;

•Teachers work together to share ways of teaching that support effective learning​​​​​​;

•The school encourages pupils to identify their own aptitudes and to further develop their talents and interests​​​​​​;

•There are a wide range of activities at lunchtime and after school;

•The atmosphere in lessons is harmonious and purposeful​​​​;

•Decisions are always taken in the best interests of pupils;

•Teachers use information about how best to support pupils with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities) effectively;

•The school has a strong focus on pupils’ personal development;

•The school works hard to ensure that pupils attend regularly;

•The school works hard to engage with parents and to keep them informed.

To improve, Ofsted highlighted that the school should continue its work on ensuring that teachers develop their questioning skills. And that it should track participation and encourage more pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, to take part in the rich extra-curricular offer.