Rednock School

Inspection of Rednock School Kingshill Road, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 4BY

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Inspection dates: 21 and 22 November 2023

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Overall effectiveness

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Sixth-form provision Good Previous inspection grade Good 21 and 22 November 2023

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school teaches pupils that ‘everyone matters’. It is a warm and welcoming place where everyone is accepted for who they are. Pupils play a role in creating a positive school culture. For example, they use assemblies to explain the impact of intolerant language.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Within each tutor group, the school creates supportive ‘families’. These small groups of mixed-age pupils discuss and work together positively in tutor time. Year 9 pupils are proud to act as ‘buddies’ to Year 7 pupils. All of this helps pupils to develop friendships in different year groups and feel like they belong.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. There are clear routines and expectations. When bullying is reported to the school, it is tackled swiftly. Thanks to trusting relationships between pupils and staff, pupils feel safe. This is a key reason why students decide to continue their studies in the school’s sixth form, where their needs are well understood.

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What is it like to attend this school?

There is a growing range of clubs on offer, catering for different interests. The school provides interesting opportunities and challenges, such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or the chance to take part in a school musical.

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better?

From their arrival in Year 7, pupils read widely and often. During their time at the school, pupils develop a love of literature. Through stories, pupils learn about the range of human experience. This helps them to understand and relate to others. The school provides a phonics curriculum for those who do not yet read well. However, the curriculum is not informed by precise assessment of gaps in pupils’ phonics knowledge and so does not target these directly.

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better?

Teaching supports pupils to learn ambitious vocabulary and concepts. This helps pupils to discuss the curriculum content intelligently and prepares them well for sixth-form study. The school uses the mantra: ‘If you can say it, you can write it.’ Pupils spend time talking about their learning before putting pen to paper. Many can explain difficult concepts clearly. Teaching supports pupils to write well in different subjects. Nonetheless, some pupils cannot write independently without this support, which sometimes limits opportunities for them to hone their skills.

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better?

Pupils study a broad curriculum. Most take GCSEs in several subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate. Nevertheless, pupils have not always chosen to continue with a modern foreign language. The school has addressed this by widening the range of languages offered. Therefore, pupils learn French, Spanish and German, before choosing one. This has helped to spark pupils’ interest in language learning and take-up is rising rapidly. 21 and 22 November 2023

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The school places a high priority on meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff receive detailed, relevant training which helps them to understand pupils’ different challenges. As a result, pupils with SEND usually follow and learn the curriculum successfully. The school recognises that pupils with SEND have not always received the support planned for them and that this has been frustrating for parents and carers. However, teaching has been reviewed and strengthened in response.

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Pupils’ learning is rarely disrupted. Parents, pupils and staff recognise that the standard of behaviour has improved following changes made to the way the school manages behaviour. Expectations of pupils have risen and systems are clear. As a result, pupils focus on the substance of their learning and are not distracted. The school is proactive in ensuring that pupils attend well.

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The school provides a comprehensive curriculum for pupils’ personal development. This includes age-appropriate learning about relationships, sex and health. Pupils learn to respect themselves and others. Careers advice and guidance is an integral part of the curriculum. Pupils have frequent encounters with different employers and education and training providers. There is a strong tradition of work experience which continues into the sixth form.

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The curriculum is enriched through trips and competitions. Sports clubs are well attended. There is a wide range of clubs linked to curriculum subjects, such as book clubs for each key stage. Pupils take part in opportunities to get involved in the arts, or in technology. Despite this, a significant proportion of pupils report that they do not participate in these extra-curricular activities very often.

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The governing body is highly skilled and effective. Governors know the school’s strengths and challenges well. They plan strategically for the school’s long-term future and champion the interests of disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils. The governing body is rigorous in assuring itself that decisions are having the right impact.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

 Teaching does not recognise pupils’ different starting points consistently well. Consequently, some teaching is not adapted in the light of what pupils already know and can do. For some pupils, this means that the curriculum lacks demand. For others, it means a lack of precise focus on important gaps in their knowledge. The school should ensure that teaching takes account of pupils’ prior learning. 21 and 22 November 2023

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 Pupils do not make the most of the school’s extra-curricular offer. While many participate well, there is a significant minority who do not get involved and so do not reap the benefits. The school should encourage more pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils, to develop their talents and interests by taking up more of the opportunities provided.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 21 and 22 November 2023

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School details

Type of school Secondary Comprehensive School category Foundation

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School details

Number of pupils on the school roll 1,241

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School details

Appropriate authority The governing body

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School details

Date of previous inspection 16 January 2018, under section 8 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The headteacher joined the school in September 2023.  The school uses one registered and three unregistered alternative providers.  The school meets the requirements of the provider access legislation, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8 to 13 with information and engagement about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school. 21 and 22 November 2023

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 Inspectors held discussions with the headteacher, members of the senior leadership team and members of the governing body, including the chair. The lead inspector spoke with a representative from Gloucestershire local authority.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: English, science, geography, modern foreign languages and physical education. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors considered the responses to the online questionnaire for parents,

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Ofsted Parent View, including the free-text comments. Inspectors also took into account responses to surveys for pupils and staff.

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Inspection team

Lydia Pride, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Simon Tong Ofsted Inspector 21 and 22 November 2023

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regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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