Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Orchard School Bristol on 22 May 2019, marking the first review since the school was rated as good in October 2015. The inspection team, led by Ofsted Inspector Michael Merchant, found that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under the new headteacher Julia Hinchliffe, has made significant strides in improving the school since her appointment in 2017. A new senior leadership team has been established, and numerous subject leaders have been appointed, all of whom share high ambitions for the pupils.
The headteacher quickly identified that pupil progress was not as strong as it should be and set the school on an ambitious path of improvement. Recent data indicates a strong upturn in outcomes for Year 11 pupils, with predictions suggesting that progress measures will meet or exceed national averages. This confidence is bolstered by external moderation and the expertise of a significant number of staff who are external examiners. The school has seen marked improvements in the progress of disadvantaged pupils, who are now making gains comparable to their peers.
The school has fostered strong relationships with the local community, with parents expressing overwhelming support for the leadership and staff. Feedback from parents highlights effective communication and emotional support for their children, as well as a commitment to challenging students academically. Despite the positive trends, the leadership team remains vigilant and focused on continuous improvement. They have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development, with accurate self-evaluation processes in place.
Governors play a crucial role in supporting the school, maintaining a balance of challenge and support. They are well-informed about the school's performance and understand the importance of holding leaders accountable. The multi-academy trust has provided strong strategic direction, shifting the focus of the governing board towards school improvement.
The school has made significant progress in addressing previous areas for improvement, particularly in attendance, which is now above average. The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment has also improved, with subject leaders effectively enhancing questioning techniques and the overall challenge presented to pupils. Safeguarding measures are robust, ensuring that all pupils, especially those considered vulnerable, are kept safe and supported.
The inspection focused on the progress of middle-attaining and disadvantaged pupils, revealing that the school has effectively utilized pupil premium funding to support various initiatives. The gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers is closing rapidly, with predictions indicating that their progress will align closely with national averages. Teachers are well-equipped to support disadvantaged pupils, employing strategies such as mentoring and targeted interventions.
The school has also taken steps to reduce fixed-term and repeat exclusions, implementing a modified behavior strategy that has led to a significant decrease in exclusions. Pupils report a calm and orderly learning environment, allowing them to focus on their studies without disruption.
Moving forward, the school leadership and governors are encouraged to consolidate and continue improvements in teaching and learning, ensuring that all pupils, particularly the most able, continue to make strong progress. Additionally, they should further embed and monitor pupil premium strategies to sustain the positive trajectory of disadvantaged pupils' progress. The inspection findings reflect a school that is committed to ongoing improvement and the well-being of its students.
