Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Chosen Hill School on 31 October 2018, marking the first such inspection since the school was rated as good in April 2015. The inspection team, led by Richard Steward, found that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under Mrs. Kirsten Harrison, has positively impacted the school since her appointment in May 2016. She has identified necessary changes to accelerate improvements and provides confident leadership with a clear direction. The school is aware that embedding a new, aspirational culture will take time, but there are clear signs of progress in teaching and the curriculum, with current pupils making good progress.
The self-evaluation conducted by the leadership team is detailed and accurate, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The majority of pupils are making good progress across various subjects, including English and mathematics, and the gap in achievement between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has narrowed. However, there is recognition that more work is needed to support the most able pupils, particularly in the sixth form.
The school enjoys a strong reputation within the local community, with pupils and parents expressing enthusiasm for the quality of education and the high standards of care provided, especially for vulnerable students. The last inspection report highlighted the need for improved teaching to facilitate rapid and sustained progress. Changes made to the curriculum are beginning to raise aspirations, particularly in key stages three and four, although these improvements have yet to fully impact the sixth form, where students are not consistently challenged to achieve their highest potential.
Safeguarding measures at the school are effective, with all arrangements meeting requirements and ensuring a safe environment for pupils. The leadership team, supported by well-trained governors and staff, has fostered a strong culture of safety. Staff are proactive in working with parents and local authorities to ensure the safety of vulnerable pupils, and there is a personalized approach to safeguarding that is valued by both parents and students.
The inspection findings indicate that leaders at all levels have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. The progress of disadvantaged pupils has improved, and the curriculum is being revised to better challenge students. However, there are still areas where teachers' expectations need to be raised, particularly in the sixth form, where students feel they could be challenged more.
The school has implemented a new pathway structure to provide a wider range of courses and better guidance for students in making educational choices. While students in the sixth form have access to high-quality careers advice and participate in work experience, there is a need for higher expectations in their academic performance.
In conclusion, the school is on a positive trajectory, with effective leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement. The next steps involve ensuring that the positive changes to the curriculum and tracking processes are fully implemented, continuing to improve provisions for disadvantaged pupils, and reducing variability in teaching quality. The leadership team is encouraged to maintain high expectations for all pupils, particularly those in the sixth form, to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.
