The general tone of the report is positive, showing that the school is continuing to improve, with our academic results now standing at their best ever and our facilities are of the highest standard.

We have come a long way since our last inspection six years ago. On that occasion the inspectors made eight recommendations to help us do better, whilst this time we have only been given four. We welcome the recommendations and we are responding to these in the following ways:

Recommendation 1

Our decision to abolish the post of Director of Studies was based on the shared opinion of management that a closer view of the curriculum would be taken by the heads of the Key Stages and monitored and developed by management.

Whilst we respect the opinion of the inspection team we did ask, during the feedback, for evidence of the failure in our present system. The reporting inspector, Mr Beeby, advised us that this was the prediction of the inspection team rather than a finding.

I do respect their opinion, however, and have asked the Governing body to form a curriculum sub-committee to review management of the curriculum and specifically the need to re-appoint a Director of Studies. In the meantime we will be looking to appoint subject co-ordinators for key stages 1 and 2 from the beginning of next term.

Recommendation 2

We were obviously disappointed by the findings of the inspection team. Whilst it is accepted that their comments are directed at a “small minority” of pupils, it is nevertheless an area that must be addressed immediately and we have already implemented the following:

1. A whole school INSET day has been arranged for this summer for all teaching staff to receive further training in consistent and effective classroom management.
2. Individual parents have been contacted about their children’s behaviour and advised of the consequences if this continues.
3. A number of pupils with identified behaviour problems are no longer at Shoreham.
4. The admissions procedure has now been clarified to ensure that all new pupils must have clear evidence of satisfactory behaviour before being accepted.
5. Work with parents to help create continuity between school and home.

Recommendation 3

We accept that we do not provide sufficient in-class support for pupils who have special educational needs. Additional support staff have been appointed for September and the pupil/support staff ratio in this department will be closely monitored.

Recommendation 4

The college is reviewing the amount of work being set for the junior children. We have noted the inspection team’s comments on quantity of homework set. We are therefore considering ways of developing this area, but quality will take precedence over quantity in changes we implement.

We accept that we need to encourage more independent learning in the senior part of the school and departments are now considering ways this can be developed.

With such a large number of senior pupils staying after school to complete their homework, we find it difficult to set work that encourages independent learning. Instead, the majority of topics set are a continuation of the lesson, reinforcement of the topic set and preparation for the next lessons. We acknowledge that this has been seen as too prescriptive by the inspection team, and departments are looking to see how the format can be varied.

R.K. Iremonger
Headmaster