John O’Gaunt School, located in Hungerford, Berkshire, has been assessed as a good school following its inspection in June 2019. The leadership and management of the school are effective, with the headteacher fostering a culture of high ambition and inclusivity. Since joining the Excalibur Academies Trust in 2016, the school has made significant strides in improving standards, resulting in good teaching and positive outcomes for pupils. The school community is characterized by strong relationships, with staff demonstrating a deep understanding of their pupils' needs and providing effective support for personal development.
The curriculum has been tailored to meet the diverse needs of pupils, encouraging higher aspirations and enabling sustained progress, particularly among the most able students. Disadvantaged pupils benefit from targeted interventions, which have led to good progress from their starting points. The school excels in providing careers information and guidance, ensuring that pupils are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Safeguarding measures are robust, with pupils and parents expressing confidence in the safety of the school environment.
However, there are areas that require improvement. The personal development, behavior, and welfare of pupils have been rated as requiring improvement. While the school has made progress in enforcing behavior policies, low-level disruptions in lessons persist, particularly when teaching is less effective. Attendance rates, especially among disadvantaged pupils, remain below the national average, and leaders need to sharpen their evaluation of strategies to enhance attendance.
In terms of teaching quality, the school demonstrates good practices across various subjects, with teachers effectively engaging pupils through questioning and encouraging critical thinking. Nevertheless, there are pockets of weaker teaching, particularly in science, where expectations may not be sufficiently high, leading to disengagement among some pupils. Opportunities for developing written and spoken skills, particularly for boys, are not consistently provided, which affects literacy development.
Pupils' progress has been steadily improving since the academy's establishment, with examination results reflecting attainment in line with national averages. The most able pupils are responding well to the ambitious curriculum, while disadvantaged pupils are gradually catching up with their peers. Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is effective, with tailored provisions in place to meet their needs.
Overall, John O’Gaunt School is a good educational institution with a strong community ethos and effective leadership. The school has made commendable progress since its academisation, but it must continue to address areas of concern, particularly in behavior management and attendance, to ensure that all pupils can thrive academically and personally. The commitment to ongoing improvement and the support from the Excalibur Academies Trust position the school well for future success.
