Thatcham school retains outstanding Ofsted
Kennet School in Thatcham has retained its ‘outstanding' Ofsted status after a recent ungraded inspection.
The school was praised for its recently introduced Kennet Canon, where teachers read books aloud to tutor groups.
Its provisions and highly effective support of pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) was also praised.
However, leaders do not ensure that all teachers regularly check how well pupils have understood the intended learning of the curriculum, the report said.
This means that some pupils do not have a secure foundation of knowledge on which to learn more.
Inspectors also noted that the school teaches its pupils about respect and kindness in tutor time, assemblies and through classroom rules.
And, it added, leaders have developed a number of programmes to promote pupils’ personal development including Year 7 ‘Rising Stars’ – where pupils engage in a range of endeavours, such as raising money for local charities or joining a club.
The report said pupils at Kennet feel safe and aware that adults will help them if they report any bullying.
Students in the sixth form are called exemplary role models for their peers, demonstrating an impressively mature approach to their studies and have high aspirations.
However, not all staff consistently implement the school’s behaviour policy to ensure high expectations of behaviour at all times. As a result, the inspection found that unkind language and behaviour are too commonly accepted by pupils.
The report said staff are extremely proud to work at Kennet School and speak highly of the training they receive.
Head teacher Grace Rigg said: “We are, of course, pleased that the hard work and achievements of pupils and staff alike have been recognised.
“We pride ourselves on offering opportunities for all pupils. We focus on developing pupils, knowledge, skills and character to give them academic success and enable them to carve out their path ahead.
“Excellence through endeavour is our school motto and we live by it, continually striving to improve all aspects of school life.
“We are continuing to embed our September improvement plan, which addresses the areas where we can make further gains.
“We will demonstrate our progress in these areas when Ofsted visit us again and we look forward to celebrating our future successes.”
This Ofsted inspection was ungraded meaning it determines whether or not the school can retain its previous graded inspection, which for Kennet was in May 2016.
The next inspection will be a graded inspection.
