INSPECTORS say leaders at Chipping Sodbury School have strengthened key areas and have a ‘clear vision’ to improve – but the quality of teaching is still too variable.
Ofsted inspected the school, which has 775 students, in September – its first visit in four years and its first assessment using a new, more complex grading system.
In their report, published in October, the team of four inspectors said the school had met the regulator’s expected standards in five areas: attendance and behaviour; inclusion; leadership and governance; post-16 provision; personal development and well-being.
But they said two key areas – achievement, and curriculum and teaching – need attention.
The inspectors said: “Pupils feel a sense of belonging. They enjoy warm, positive relationships with staff and each other.
“Although pupils generally enjoy their learning, some pupils do not achieve as well as they could.
“The quality of teaching that pupils receive is too variable, meaning that they sometimes do not deepen their knowledge sufficiently.”
Raised expectations
The inspectors said pupils’ achievement has improved as teaching has been strengthened by the school’s leadership team, and this is reflected in better recent GCSE results.
They said: “Leaders have an accurate view of the quality of the curriculum and teaching. They have started to make improvements by building teachers’ expertise.
“This work has started to have an impact, such as improving teachers’ use of assessment to check pupils’ understanding. However, it is too soon to evaluate fully the impact of these changes.”
Ofsted said the school had raised expectations of standards, with effective systems to deal with poor behaviour that mean the school has a “calm and purposeful atmosphere”.
Effective support for disadvantaged pupils, and those with special educational needs or disabilities, was highlighted by the inspectors, along with pastoral support, including care for mental health and well-being.
Ofsted also highlighted the school’s wide range of extra-curricular activities for pupils to “develop their talents and interests”.
The inspectors said: “New school and trust leaders have quickly understood the school’s strengths and priorities for improvement.
“They have already strengthened key areas of the school’s work, such as raising expectations of behaviour and increasing pupils’ attendance.
“In other areas, leaders have taken quick and effective action to start making the necessary improvements. For example, leaders have a clear vision for improving the quality of teaching.”
The inspectors said post-16 students achieve well, although the school now only has Year 13 students in its sixth form.
The Athelstan Trust, which runs the school, decided last year to withdraw from the Cotswold Edge sixth form partnership of local schools and as of next September, Chipping Sodbury School will be an 11 to 16 secondary only.
Ofsted’s last report, in 2022 gave the school a ‘good’ rating under the old grading system. It had previously been rated as requiring improvement before converting to an academy.
School’s ‘clear trajectory of improvement’
Head teacher Rob Skipp said: “We are extremely proud that this report acknowledges the many strengths of our school.
“We are glad that the inspectors saw what we see every day, that our students ‘feel a sense of belonging’, ‘enjoy warm, positive relationships with staff and each other’ and ‘contribute to the caring culture of the school’.
“I joined the school as Headteacher in 2025 with an ambitious plan of improvement that built on the many strengths of the school to ensure our students receive the highest standard of education.
“These improvements are the product of a committed body of passionate staff aiming for brilliance in all we do.
“The school is on a clear trajectory of improvement and we have well considered plans to continue this journey.
“Importantly, our inspection report reflects a confidence from Ofsted in our ability to continue to address areas that need attention rapidly.”