DOWNEND School’s “strong sense of community” and ambitious curriculum have been praised by Ofsted.
A team of three inspectors from the education watchdog visited the school in Westerleigh Road in October.
They did not give the school an overall grade, as Ofsted dropped the practice for state schools in September.
But they said Downend School “has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection,” which took place almost six years ago in January 2019 and saw the school rated ‘good’.
The inspectors said: “There is a strong sense of community at Downend School.
“The school’s ‘PRIDE’ values (Participation, Respect, Identity, Determination, Excellence) are well known to all.
“These values inform leaders’ decisions and influence how pupils conduct themselves in school.”
“The school has developed an ambitious curriculum for pupils. Staff have high expectations of all pupils. Most pupils consistently meet these.
“Pupils are successful in public examinations. Pupils and sixth-form students appreciate the school’s enrichment opportunities and the support they receive from staff. They feel well prepared for their next steps.”
The inspectors said the school, which has 1,432 students, including 179 sixth-formers, on its roll, has “thoughtfully designed an ambitious curriculum”, adding: “This provides pupils with a broad and balanced education.
“The curriculum is taught well with high levels of consistency. Teachers are passionate experts in their subjects. They are skilled at using questioning to check pupils’ understanding.”
Pupils with special educational needs or disabilities learn the same curriculum and receive support in the classroom, the inspectors said.
The school’s “strong pastoral system” was also praised.
The inspectors said: “Pupils and sixth-form students speak highly of the atmosphere and work ethic at the school. The school’s expectations of pupils’ behaviour are clear.”
Pupils “engage positively” thanks to consistent routines, common approaches to teaching and fair treatment of behaviour by staff.
The inspectors said: “Bullying rarely happens, and staff address it effectively if it occurs.”
The report highlighted the school’s extra-curricular activities, including a science club, badminton and the school’s long-established Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.
Ofsted said pupils took advantage of leadership roles including being a peer mentor, race and religion ambassador or student council member.
To improve further the inspectors recommended that the school “systematically” identify common misconceptions and misunderstandings of key knowledge within subjects, to address them before they arise.
They also called on the school to continue its work to improve attendance among pupils from disadvantaged families.
Head teacher Linda Ferris said she was “absolutely delighted” with the outcome of the inspection, which “recognises the high quality of the education we provide”.
She said: “This is particularly rewarding given the obstacles our staff, students and families have faced in recent years and the challenging wider educational landscape.
“The report really does make fantastic reading and we are very proud of what it represents.
“Whilst the inspection takes place over just two days, the education described so positively in the report is the result of years of hard work and acts as a real testament to the work of our staff, our students and their wider support networks at home.”
Mrs Ferris thanked staff for their “dedication, diligence and care”, parents and carers for their “engagement and support” and students for their efforts each day.
She said: “I look forward to continuing to work together with the local Downend community to build on the very strong foundations of the school.”