Pupils at ‘good’ Twynham School in Christchurch enjoy going there, Ofsted inspection rules

PUPILS attending Twynham School “enjoy” going and have “positive” attitudes to learning, according to Ofsted inspectors.

They were also praised for their behaviour, with the inspectors finding that they “have positive attitudes to learning” at the Christchurch school, which was rated ‘good’ overall.

One reason for this, they said, was that the school had “recently raised its expectations of pupils’ behaviour”.

“Most pupils live up to these. They typically learn without disruption and conduct themselves well around the school site,” the report stated.

In the classroom, pupils follow an “ambitious” curriculum with the school “determined that all pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life”.

Inspectors found that a high proportion of Key Stage 4 pupils achieve the English baccalaureate, adding: “The school has planned carefully what pupils should learn and when.

“This helps pupils build their learning on what they already know and can do. For example, sixth form students studying American history draw on their knowledge from Key Stages 3 and 4.”

Teachers were praised for having “strong subject knowledge” and for presenting new information well, with inspectors stating: “In most subjects, teaching rectifies any gaps pupils have in their learning.”

But inspectors did find that in some subjects, pupils “do not develop sufficiently detailed knowledge or write in depth” which “hinders their achievement”.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities were well catered for, according to the report, which said the school had recently strengthened its work to ensure that all pupils’ needs are identified and assessed accurately.

“Teachers usually make good use of the information they are provided to support pupils with SEND”, it added.

Away from the classroom, inspectors found that Twynham provided a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities such as performing in the school musical, or in ‘bands night’. Pupils could also participate in clubs, such as robotics, gardening, or chess.

Politics was a popular pastime, with pupils taught about democracy by taking part in local youth elections. They were also encouraged to raise money for charities and contribute to local causes such as food banks.

Staff were also happy at Twynham with teachers feeling “well supported” and that the arrangements for safeguarding were “effective”.

Inspectors did feel that the school could improve the way it “identifies and rectifies gaps in pupils’ knowledge and skills” with some pupils not building “sufficient depth in their understanding or write in detail”.