Bohunt School Wokingham

Inspection of a school judged good for overall effectiveness before September 2024: Bohunt School Wokingham Remount Drive, Arborfield, Wokingham RG2 9GB

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Inspection dates: 10 and 11 December 2024

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Outcome

Evidence gathered during this ungraded (section 8) inspection suggests that the school’s work may have improved significantly across all areas since the previous inspection. The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection.

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Outcome

The headteacher of this school is Jen Comber. This school is part of the Bohunt Education Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer (CEO), Neil Strowger, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Raymond Morton.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Staff at Bohunt School Wokingham are ambitious for what pupils can, and will, achieve. The school ethos of ‘enjoy, respect, achieve’ is understood well by all. Pupils gain secure knowledge and skills through a broad and ambitious curriculum. As a result, they achieve very strong outcomes in a range of subjects at GCSE. Where the curriculum needs to be adapted, for example for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), it is done so successfully.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school’s increased focus on creating a sense of ‘belonging’ is having an impact. In lessons, pupils focus on learning and show very positive attitudes. Pupils are welcoming and polite. Staff know their pupils well and relationships are strong. Pupils have confidence in staff to sort out problems if they occur. Pupils enjoy coming to school. Staff are proud to work at the school.

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What is it like to attend this school?

This school goes above and beyond to prepare its pupils for their next steps. The school’s ‘game-changer’ programme inspires and motivates pupils to want to make a difference in society. There is an exceptional programme of enrichment, designed to appeal to all. For example, pupils participate in tennis, paddle boarding, Mandarin, musical theatre club and climbing. All pupils also have the opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award. 10 and11 December 2024

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has developed a broad curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND. Pupils choose from a wide range of subjects and courses that build character as well as academic knowledge. The careful sequencing of the curriculum ensures that pupils can apply their knowledge and understand the relevance of what they have learned. Opportunities to learn beyond the classroom are frequent, including in the school’s outdoor classroom, as well as on geography field trips and ‘real world’ mathematics events.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Staff have strong subject knowledge and benefit from high-quality professional development. Staff encourage pupils to recall their prior learning frequently during lessons. This supports pupils to apply their knowledge to new concepts with great confidence. Teachers routinely check learning and correct any misunderstandings. In every lesson, there is a sharp focus on the vocabulary that pupils need to know. Pupils act on teachers’ advice to correct mistakes, redraft, and expand answers. This ensures their work is of consistently high quality.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has prioritised improving the achievement of disadvantaged pupils, including those with SEND. This has had notable impact. Pupils with SEND are accurately identified and well supported. The school ensures that the curriculum is accessible to all learners. Pupils with SEND receive support that is well matched to their needs. The result is that all pupils, especially those who are disadvantaged, achieve highly across the curriculum.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school promotes reading across the curriculum. Staff check pupils’ reading abilities as they join the school. Pupils who need extra help are given the right support by well- trained staff and reading mentors. This helps pupils with their learning in other subjects. The form time reading programme is also helping to foster a love of reading across the school.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Staff work diligently to improve attendance. The school applies an effective strategy to identify and help those with barriers to attending school every day. Routines and consistently high expectations lead to a calm, purposeful environment. Pupils who struggle to regulate their behaviour are well supported by the pastoral team. The school works with a range of external agencies to help pupils and their families, including support for mental health.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school’s personal development offer and careers programme are both very thoughtfully designed and delivered. Pupils experience guest speakers that provide thought-provoking talks, including life as a prisoner and road safety awarenes. Pupils consistently benefit from an impressive range of wider opportunities that develop their talents and interests.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders and staff have ensured that the school has continued to improve since the last inspection. Governors and trustees have a clear understanding of the school. They rigorously challenge leaders in a supportive way. Staff are extremely proud of the school and appreciate its focus on collaboration, equality and supporting workload. 10 and11 December 2024

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Background

Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection we gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted’s website. From September 2024 graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade. This school was, before September 2024, judged to be good for its overall effectiveness.

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Background

We have now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school’s work has improved significantly or that it may not be as strong as it was at the last inspection, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection. A graded inspection is carried out under section 5 of the Act. Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour, or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

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Background

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be good for overall effectiveness in May 2019.

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How can I feed back my views?

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, 10 and11 December 2024

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looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 10 and11 December 2024

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School details

Number of pupils on the school roll 1280

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School details

Dates of previous inspection 14 and 15 May 2019, under section 5 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The school makes use of two registered alternative provisions.  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

 Inspections are a point-in-time evaluation 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.  Inspectors visited a sample of lessons, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work. 10 and11 December 2024

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 Inspectors scrutinised a range of documents, including leaders’ evaluation of the school and priorities for improvement.  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 observed pupils’ behaviour in a range of situations, including in corridors, at breaktimes, at lunchtimes and in lessons. They also spoke to pupils about behaviour and bullying.  Inspectors met with the special educational needs coordinator. They looked at a range of documents, including pupil passports. Inspectors also checked how pupils with SEND are supported in lessons.  The views of pupils, parents and carers and staff were considered through discussions and looking at information collected from Ofsted’s surveys and Ofsted Parent View.

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 Inspectors held discussions with members of the local governing body, as well as with the CEO and representatives of the board of trustees.

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Inspection team

Sam Johnson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Jason Philipsz Ofsted Inspector 10 and11 December 2024

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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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