Ofsted conducted an urgent inspection of King Alfred’s School on 7 February 2024, prompted by concerns regarding pupil behavior and attitudes. The inspection aimed to assess the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements within the school. The findings indicate that safeguarding is effective, with leaders demonstrating a clear vision to foster a collaborative and respectful culture. Significant progress has been made towards this goal, as evidenced by the behavior of most pupils, who exhibit excellent conduct during lessons, contributing to a focused learning environment.
The school has implemented improvements to its behavior policy and systems, which are now well understood by both pupils and staff. Disruptions in lessons are addressed promptly, allowing all pupils to continue their learning without interruption. Support is available for pupils who require assistance in demonstrating courteous and respectful behavior, aiming to restore positive relationships. Break and lunch times are managed effectively, with increased adult supervision ensuring a calm atmosphere. Pupils generally interact well during social times, and incidents of verbal or physical aggression are rare. When such incidents occur, staff respond appropriately, treating them seriously and managing them effectively.
Bullying and unkindness are not tolerated, and pupils feel safe at school, confident that staff will take appropriate action to address any issues. The school employs a multi-stage approach to dealing with bullying, which minimizes the chances of recurrence and reassures pupils. The development of the school’s culture is supported by a well-planned program of personal, social, health, and economic education, which includes teaching on values, character education, mental health, and the importance of diversity. This is reinforced through assemblies and the work of pupil anti-bullying ambassadors.
While the school’s efforts to improve behavior are yielding positive results, leaders recognize the need to maintain this as a top priority. Although most pupils embrace the school’s culture and values, some require additional support. Despite a significant reduction in the number of suspensions this academic year, the overall number remains high, indicating the need for continued focus on behavior improvement.
The school’s safeguarding arrangements are robust, with all staff receiving rigorous and regularly updated training. Staff feel empowered to identify and report concerns, which are triaged and followed up promptly. The safeguarding team collaborates closely to identify at-risk pupils, reviewing cases regularly to ensure appropriate support is in place. The school has invested in expanding pastoral support, creating a coherent hub for pupils to access help easily. This initiative is helping to improve attendance, as pupils are aware of the high-quality support available.
The trust overseeing the school is committed to providing both support and challenge to school leaders, ensuring regular reporting and guidance on safeguarding matters. Governance is informed by regular updates on behavior, attendance, and related issues, allowing governors to monitor the school’s progress effectively. They recognize the positive changes in the school’s culture and ethos, understanding that these improvements are ongoing.
In summary, while the school has made commendable strides in fostering a respectful and kind culture, there remains work to be done to fully embed these values and reduce the number of suspensions. Leaders are encouraged to continue strengthening support and interventions for pupils who struggle with behavior, ensuring that the positive trajectory of the school is maintained.
