Ofsted raises serious concerns over Bridgemary School in Gosport following inspection
Secondary school needs to improve
Students do not achieve as well as they should at a secondary school which ‘requires significant improvement’, an Ofsted inspection has found.
Bridgemary School, in Wych Lane, Gosport is “performing significantly less well than it might in all the circumstances reasonably be expected to perform,” and now needs to take considerable steps to improve all areas.
The school was inspected by Ofsted on June 30, with the published report highlighting achievement requires “urgent improvement” while personal development, inclusion, leadership, curriculum and attendance all “need attention.”
The inspection said: “Too many pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, do not attend school as often as they need to. These pupils develop significant gaps in their academic knowledge and skills as a result. They do not benefit from the school's provision as much as they should, including the most vulnerable pupils.
“Teachers' delivery of the curriculum is inconsistent. There are variations in how well they check pupils' understanding of key knowledge and skills and use this to inform future learning. As a result, pupils have gaps in their understanding that are sometimes left unresolved. Pupils who are higher attaining are not routinely given work that is sufficiently challenging.”
The school is committed to inclusion but continued work is needed as support for disadvantaged pupils does not always help them achieve. Leaders have an accurate understanding of the need to betterthe support for these pupils and make better use of the additional funding that the school receives.
Since Bridgemary’s last inspection in 2023, leadership has failed to embed the necessary changes and, as a result, the report noted that “curriculum is not implemented consistently well.”
It added: “Despite this, leaders and those responsible for governance now have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and what needs to improve. Trustees fulfil their statutory responsibilities with more rigour. Leaders' plans to move the school forward are grounded in pupils’ best interests.
“The oversight of the school's wider leadership has recently been strengthened. This is enabling support and challenge to have greater precision and urgency. School leaders have responded positively, and plans are now in place to move the school forward at a faster pace.”
Achievement needs to be a key focus within the school as “pupils do not achieve as well as they should” meaning they are not properly prepared for their next steps. Results in national tests sit “significantly below” average across most subject areas and the achievement gap between disadvantaged pupils and other students has widened.
In order to make the improvements needed, Ofsted has found “leaders should ensure that teachers have a clear understanding of gaps in pupils' knowledge” and use this information to resolve misconceptions swiftly. Teaching should be consistently ambitious and matched appropriately to pupils' needs.
Safeguarding measures are effective.
Bridgemary School has been contacted for a comment.