Faringdon Community College, located in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, has recently undergone an inspection on May 8 and 9, 2024, and has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. The headteacher, Phil Bevan, leads the school, which is part of the Faringdon Learning Trust, overseen by CEO Richard Evans and chaired by Anthony Cook. The school has experienced rapid growth, currently accommodating 1,422 pupils aged 11 to 18, including 170 in the sixth form.
Students at Faringdon Community College enjoy their lessons and receive strong support from staff. The school offers a broad curriculum that prepares pupils for future education, training, or employment. Pupils appreciate the variety of subjects available, including both GCSEs and A levels. The teaching staff generally demonstrate strong subject expertise, effectively checking pupils' understanding. However, in some subjects, the clarity of the order in which knowledge is taught could be improved, which may affect pupils' overall achievement.
Behaviour at the school is generally good, with most pupils displaying politeness and respect towards one another and their teachers. The school has high expectations for behaviour and is actively working to support all pupils in meeting these standards. While the majority of students behave well, a small number have faced challenges in this area. The school has implemented additional support for these pupils, which has led to improvements in their behaviour and ambition.
Pupils benefit from lessons that promote positive relationships and safety, fostering a strong sense of community. They know where to seek help if needed, and the school takes a firm stance against bullying, addressing any incidents promptly. The school prioritizes reading, incorporating quiet reading time at the start of lessons to enhance pupils' reading skills and settle them into the learning environment.
The sixth form at Faringdon Community College is vibrant, with students enjoying their studies and benefiting from strong relationships with teachers and peers. They engage in discussions and activities that deepen their understanding of the subjects. Students take pride in their roles within the school, participating in performances and supporting younger pupils.
Despite the positive aspects, the school recognizes areas for improvement. Attendance rates for some pupils are too low, leading to gaps in knowledge and understanding. The school has introduced new systems to encourage regular attendance and is committed to ensuring that all pupils have access to valuable learning experiences. Additionally, the support provided to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) needs to be more precise, as some staff may not fully understand individual needs.
The school is also refining its behaviour policies to ensure consistency among staff in implementing strategies. Ongoing training and support for staff are essential to maintain high expectations for behaviour across the school. Overall, Faringdon Community College is making significant strides in providing a supportive and effective educational environment, with a clear focus on continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
