Setting

Mr Andrew Bloom Headteacher Stradbroke High School Wilby Road Stradbroke Eye IP21 5JN

p.1

No formal designation monitoring inspection of Stradbroke High School

Following my visit to your academy on 1 March 2013, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to confirm the inspection findings.

p.1

No formal designation monitoring inspection of Stradbroke High School

The inspection was a monitoring inspection carried out in accordance with no formal designation procedures and conducted under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. The inspection was carried out to confirm that the academy’s safeguarding arrangements meet requirements.

p.1

Evidence

Her Majesty’s Inspector scrutinised the single central record and other documents relating to safeguarding and child protection arrangements and met with senior teachers, a group of students and the Vice-Chair of the Governing Body.

p.1

Evidence

Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time the academy’s safeguarding arrangements meet requirements.

p.1

Context

This is a smaller than average-sized school that serves students from the village of Stradbroke and its surrounding areas. Almost all students are White British. A few from minority ethnic backgrounds speak English as an additional language. The proportion of students with disabilities, or those who have special educational needs, including statements of special educational need is much larger than the national average. The proportion of students who are looked after is comparatively high. The Serco Inspections Colmore Plaza 20 Colmore Circus Queensway Birmingham B4 6AT T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk percentage of pupils that are eligible for free school meals is lower than found nationally.

p.1

Behaviour and safety of pupils

The good behaviour seen at the time of school’s last inspection has been maintained. Students are pleasant, helpful and courteous. The vast majority of students display positive attitudes towards learning. Very few of them are excluded from school. Students say that Stradbroke High is a small, friendly school where everyone knows each other well. They feel safe and free from all forms of bullying, and know which staff to talk to should incidents occur. They know the school’s expectations of them and they understand the procedures for using computers and mobile phones. Regular personal, social and health education lessons teach students how to keep safe and avoid harm.

p.2

The quality of leadership in and management of the school

Leaders and managers ensure that the safeguarding of students is taken seriously and that all statutory responsibilities are met. A recent serious incident involving a member of staff was dealt with effectively because the school’s procedures for managing such an incident were robust and implemented promptly, and since then procedures have been strengthened further. Two senior leaders with overall responsibility for child protection know individual students well and work effectively with a range of local agencies to support specific vulnerable students and monitor their attendance and welfare. Safeguarding training for all staff, including newly appointed staff, is regularly updated. The steps taken to carry out checks during the recruitment of staff are rigorous and are recorded in detail in the school’s single central record. The Vice-Chair of the Governing Body is meticulous in ensuring that policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and child protection are thorough

p.2

The quality of leadership in and management of the school

and are regularly reviewed to ensure students’ safety.

p.2

The quality of leadership in and management of the school

I am copying this letter to the Director of Children’s Services for Suffolk, to the Secretary of State for Education, the Chair of the Governing Body and the Academies Advisers Unit at the Department for Education. This letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

p.2