West Exe School is celebrating after Ofsted inspectors recognised student progress, positive relationships and the wide range of opportunities available across the school.
The Ofsted team visited the Exeter school in June to assess safeguarding, achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing.
Ofsted now uses a report card system rather than the previous single-word grades. ‘Expected standard’ is the benchmark used to indicate a high-performing school that is doing everything it should be doing. West Exe School was recognised as meeting the Expected Standard in five areas: achievement, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing.
The report highlighted the strong relationships that underpin school life, noting that most pupils enjoy positive relationships with staff and each other, while leaders build constructive partnerships with parents that contribute positively to pupils’ sense of belonging and achievement.
Inspectors recognised the progress students make across the curriculum, noting that “pupils generally make good progress and are ready for their next stages of learning”. The report highlighted that students build their knowledge effectively across subjects and typically perform well in exams.
Strong performance in particular subject areas was also underlined, with inspectors noting that “in some subjects, pupils’ performance in examinations is consistently above the national average. For instance, pupils achieve particularly well in science.” They also highlighted that students who join the school with lower academic starting points make particularly good progress and that disadvantaged students usually achieve in line with their peers nationally.
The curriculum and quality of teaching were also recognised, with inspectors noting that leaders have strengthened teaching in areas where students had previously not achieved as well.
The school’s inclusive approach was praised, with inspectors recognising that leaders identify and assess students’ needs effectively and provide staff with useful information to support students with special educational needs or disabilities. The report noted that leaders and staff have high expectations of students who face particular challenges to their learning and that “on the whole, staff use this information effectively to adapt teaching”.
Personal development and wellbeing were also highlighted as a strength, with inspectors pointing to the opportunities available through the school’s ‘West Exe Baccalaureate’, careers programme and wider enrichment offer. The report noted that students benefit from work experience, careers fairs, university visits and a wide range of extracurricular activities through the school’s ‘electives’ programme.
The report also celebrated the positive culture across the school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, noting that “pupils generally enjoy learning and are prepared for the next stages of education”. It highlighted opportunities for students to develop friendships, leadership skills and cultural understanding, including through overseas visits.
Inspectors praised the positive behaviour and attitudes to learning across the school, noting that “pupils behave well and have positive attitudes to learning”. While attendance remains the area identified for further improvement, inspectors acknowledged that leaders are taking effective steps to reduce absence and recognised the work under way to improve attendance patterns across the school, including targeted support for students.
Other comments in the report included:
• “Most pupils enjoy positive relationships with staff and each other.”
• “Pupils are safe and typically behave well. Their learning is not often disrupted by poor behaviour.”
• “Staff are proud to work at the school. Leaders, trustees and local governors support staff wellbeing and ensure that their workload is manageable.”
• “Pupils are proud to represent the school in productions or when running events with local primary schools.”
Jamie Engineer, Headteacher at West Exe School, said:
“We are pleased that Ofsted has recognised the many strengths that make West Exe School such a positive place for our students.
“The report reflects the commitment of our staff, students, families, governors and trust colleagues to providing a high-quality education, supporting every young person to achieve well and be ready for their next steps.
“We are particularly proud that inspectors recognised our inclusive approach, the opportunities available to students and the positive experiences they have at school every day. It is the strong relationships that make West Exe such a special place.”
“We also recognise the areas where we can continue to improve and remain focused on working with students, families and partners to ensure every young person can benefit fully from everything West Exe has to offer.”
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