Ofsted

Following the publication of the Ofsted report, we recognise that staff, students and families may have questions about the findings and what happens next.

These FAQs provide further information about the report, the actions already taken by the school and the support that will be in place moving forward. If your question is not answered in these FAQs, please use the relevant enquiry form below. We will review all enquiries and, where appropriate, update these FAQs to provide further information for the wider school community.

Whilst the report identified areas requiring improvement, it also recognised many strengths across the school, including Achievement, Curriculum and Teaching, Inclusion, Personal Development and Wellbeing, and Post-16 Provision.

Inspectors highlighted the commitment of staff, the positive relationships that exist across the school community and the strong support provided to students. They also recognised that pupils benefit from a broad and ambitious curriculum, achieve in line with national expectations and are well prepared for their next steps.

The following FAQs are intended to provide further information and support colleagues as we move forward together.

Key Strengths Recognised by Ofsted

Achievement is in line with national expectations and pupils make good progress from their starting points.
Pupils benefit from a broad, ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum.
Teaching is generally effective. Teachers have expert subject knowledge.
Teachers use targeted questions to promote pupils recall and to check for understanding.
Recently introduced teacher strategies to develop pupils oracy and literacy have been successful in supporting pupils.
Staff know pupils well and provide effective support for their learning and wellbeing.
The school has a strong and inclusive culture, particularly for vulnerable pupils and those with SEND.
Personal development, careers education and preparation for adult life are strengths of the school.
Behaviour is generally positive, pupils attend well and there is a strong sense of belonging.
Sixth Form students benefit from effective teaching, support and a wide range of enrichment opportunities.
Inspectors recognised the commitment of staff and noted that staff are proud to work at the school.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Parents and Carers (Current Year 7 - 13)

1. Why has the school been placed in special measure, and what does this mean?

Ofsted identified weaknesses in the school's safer recruitment processes and the management of the Single Central Record. Because these issues relate to safeguarding compliance, leadership and governance automatically requires urgent improvement and so the school has been judged as requiring special measures.

Special measures provide a framework of additional support, monitoring and challenge to help schools make rapid improvements. The school is already implementing a detailed improvement plan and will continue to work closely with Ofsted, the Department for Education and other partners to address the issues identified in the report.

2. The Ofsted report says safeguarding is not effective. Is my child safe?

The concerns identified by Ofsted related to recruitment and safeguarding records rather than the day-to-day care of pupils.

The report recognises that staff are trained to identify safeguarding concerns, that safeguarding procedures relating to individual pupils are robust and that the school works effectively with external agencies to support vulnerable children and families.

The report states “Leaders ensure that policies and procedures for the management of safeguarding concerns relating to individual pupils are robust and well communicated to all staff. They train staff to identify when pupils may be at risk of harm. Leaders responsible for safeguarding work well with local outside agencies to support any vulnerable pupils and their families. Pupils learn how to stay safe, including online”.

The school has completed a full review of its safeguarding and recruitment records and has taken action to address the issues identified by Ofsted.

3. Were there any other aspects of the school that are causing concern?

Ofsted identified Attendance and Behaviour as areas that require further improvement.

Attendance at Kingsmead is above the national average and inspectors recognised the positive work taking place to support pupils' attendance. However, they identified that some procedures relating to pupils attending alternative provision and pupils leaving the school roll needed to be strengthened. The school has already taken action to address these issues.

Inspectors also recognised that behaviour is generally positive and that disruptions to learning are minimal. However, some pupils reported that behaviour between friendship groups could occasionally go too far and that concerns were not always addressed. This feedback is helping to inform further improvements to behaviour systems, student support and staff training.

4. Is there bullying at the school?

Like all schools, there are occasions when incidents between pupils occur. However, Ofsted recognised that behaviour at Kingsmead is generally positive and that disruptions to learning are minimal.

Prior to the Ofsted inspection, the school had already begun strengthening how student voice is gathered and used to identify concerns. Following the inspection, we have undertaken further work with students to better understand their experiences and perceptions of bullying, derogatory language and behaviour within school.

Additional training has already been provided for staff, pastoral leaders and safeguarding colleagues to ensure concerns are identified, addressed and followed up consistently. This work will continue as part of the school's wider improvement programme.

We take any concerns about bullying seriously and are continuing to strengthen our approach through student feedback, staff training and improvements to behaviour systems to ensure all pupils feel safe and supported.

5. Will the Ofsted judgement affect my child’s education?

No. Your child will continue to benefit from the same broad curriculum, experienced staff and wide range of opportunities available to all Kingsmead students.

Ofsted recognised that pupils enjoy learning, attend regularly and achieve in line with their peers nationally. Inspectors also highlighted the school's ambitious curriculum, strong support for students and positive relationships between staff and pupils.

The report states “Pupils typically enjoy learning at Kingsmead School. They attend school regularly and benefit from an ambitious and well-thought-out curriculum. Consequently, pupils learn and achieve in line with their peers nationally. They learn the important knowledge they need for the next stage of their education. Staff know pupils well, including students in the sixth form”.

The school is already taking action to address the issues identified in the report while continuing to build on these strengths.

6. My child is due to start in sixth form in September. Can I be reassured about their education?

Yes. From September, we will be adding some BTEC opportunities to our existing suite of A Levels, following feedback from our students.

Ofsted recognised the broad range of experiences on offer to sixth form students, alongside their learning.

The report states: “Teaching is generally effective. Teachers have expert subject knowledge. Where teaching is most precise, teachers explain complex ideas clearly and pinpoint guidance to help students demonstrate their understanding. This supports increasing numbers of students to achieve the highest grades at the end of their studies. Students with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive effective additional support to enable their success in the sixth form”.

7. When will the school be inspected again? Will there be any monitoring visits?

Yes. As a school in special measures, Kingsmead will receive regular monitoring visits from Ofsted to review the progress being made against the areas identified in the report.

These visits provide an opportunity for inspectors to assess improvements and ensure the school is taking the necessary steps to address the issues identified. The school will continue to work closely with Ofsted and other partners throughout this process. While we acknowledge that there may be concerns around monitoring visits, wherever possible these should be viewed as a positive as well as an opportunity to showcase the improvements being made.

8. Will there be changes to the governance of the school?

The current Chair and Vice Chair, who were appointed in September 2025, will remain in post and continue to lead the school's improvement journey. Since their appointment, they and the Trustee Board have worked closely with school leaders to strengthen governance, identify issues, oversee improvements and provide support during a period of significant change.

The Trustee Board will continue to be strengthened through the recruitment of a Parent Trustee and additional Trustees.

9. Will there be any changes to the leadership team?

During this period, Ms Batteson will continue as Acting Headteacher, supported by Mr Lavelle in his role as Consultant Headteacher.

The school remains focused on delivering the best possible education and support for all pupils while continuing its improvement journey.

10. Is the school closing? Will we be joining a Multi-Academy Trust?

No, Kingsmead School is not closing.

Following the Ofsted judgement, the Department for Education, in consultation with the school, is expected to begin the process of identifying a suitable Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) to support the school's long-term improvement. This is a normal part of the process for schools in special measures and is designed to provide additional expertise, support and challenge.

We will keep families informed and share further information as it becomes available.

11. What changes will be/are being made? How will we know about the progress the school is making?

The school has already taken action to address the issues identified by Ofsted, including strengthening safeguarding procedures, recruitment processes and governance arrangements.

A detailed improvement plan is in place, which has been shared with Trustees, and the school will continue to work closely with Ofsted, the Department for Education and other partners to ensure sustained progress.

We will keep our families and other stakeholders informed through regular communications and updates on the improvements being made throughout the year.

12. Where can I find out more?

The full Ofsted report is available on the school's website and on the Ofsted website. If you have any further questions, please fill out the enquiry form below. We will continue to keep families informed through regular communications and updates as we progress our improvement plans.

Ofsted 2026 Questions - Parent and Carer questions – Fill out form

Parents and Carers of Children Starting September 2026

1. Should I still send my child to Kingsmead School?

Yes.

Whilst the Ofsted report identified areas requiring improvement, it also recognised many strengths across the school, including Achievement, Curriculum and Teaching, Inclusion, Personal Development and Wellbeing, and Post-16 Provision.

The school has already taken action to address the issues identified and is receiving additional support to ensure continued improvement. We remain committed to providing a high-quality education and positive experience for all students.

2. What support will my child receive when starting in September?

We understand that moving to secondary school is a significant milestone, and we are committed to ensuring every student feels welcomed, supported and confident when they join Kingsmead.

Students take part in a comprehensive transition programme, including opportunities to meet key staff, become familiar with the school environment and build relationships with their peers. Our pastoral team, Heads of Year and teaching staff work closely with students and families throughout the transition process to ensure a positive start to secondary school life.

We are proud of the inclusive and supportive culture recognised by Ofsted and remain committed to helping every child thrive both academically and personally.

3. Will the Ofsted judgement affect my child’s education?

No. Your child will continue to benefit from the same broad curriculum, experienced staff and wide range of opportunities available to all Kingsmead students.

The school is already taking action to address the issues identified in the report while continuing to build on these strengths.

4. The Ofsted report says safeguarding is not effective. Will my child be safe?

The concerns identified by Ofsted related to recruitment and safeguarding records rather than the day-to-day care of pupils.

The school has completed a full review of its safeguarding and recruitment records and has taken action to address the issues identified by Ofsted.

5. Were there any other aspects of the school that are causing concern?

Ofsted identified Attendance and Behaviour as areas that require further improvement.

6. Is there bullying at the school?

Like all schools, there are occasions when incidents between pupils occur. However, Ofsted recognised that behaviour at Kingsmead is generally positive and that disruptions to learning are minimal.

7. When will the school be inspected again? Will there be any monitoring visits?

Yes. As a school in special measures, Kingsmead will receive regular monitoring visits from Ofsted to review the progress being made against the areas identified in the report.

8. Will there be changes to the governance of the school?

The Trustee Board will continue to be strengthened through the recruitment of a Parent Trustee and additional Trustees.

9. Will there be any changes to the leadership team?

During this period, Ms Batteson will continue as Acting Headteacher, supported by Mr Lavelle in his role as Consultant Headteacher.

The school remains focused on delivering the best possible education and support for all pupils while continuing its improvement journey.

10. Is the school closing? Will we be joining a Multi-Academy Trust?

No, Kingsmead School is not closing.

We will keep families informed and share further information as it becomes available.

11. What changes will be/are being made? How will we know about the progress the school is making?

The school has already taken action to address the issues identified by Ofsted, including strengthening safeguarding procedures, recruitment processes and governance arrangements.

We will keep our families and other stakeholders informed through regular communications and updates on the improvements being made throughout the year.

12. Are transition events still taking place?

All planned transition activities will continue as scheduled. We have already enjoyed welcoming our new Year 7 students to Kingsmead for two successful transition days, where they had the opportunity to meet staff, make new friends and begin to familiarise themselves with the school.

We are now looking forward to welcoming many of our new students back for Summer School in August before they officially join us in September. Supporting every child to have a positive, confident and successful transition to secondary school remains a priority for us.

13. Where can I find out more?

Ofsted 2026 Questions - Parent and Carer questions – Fill out form

New 6th Form Parents (September 2026)

1. My child is due to start in sixth form in September. Can I be reassured about their education?

Yes. From September, we will be adding some BTEC opportunities to our existing suite of A Levels, following feedback from our students.

Ofsted recognised the broad range of experiences on offer to sixth form students, alongside their learning.

2. What did Ofsted say about the Sixth Form?

Ofsted recognised many strengths within the Sixth Form.

Inspectors highlighted the expertise of teaching staff, the broad range of opportunities available alongside academic study, and the support students receive to prepare them for university, apprenticeships and employment. They also recognised that students benefit from clear careers guidance, effective teaching and a welcoming environment in which to study.

The report also identified an opportunity to further develop leadership and mentoring opportunities for older students, and this will form part of the school's ongoing improvement plans.

3. The Ofsted report says safeguarding is not effective. Is my child safe?

The concerns identified by Ofsted related to recruitment and safeguarding records rather than the day-to-day care of pupils.

The school has completed a full review of its safeguarding and recruitment records and has taken action to address the issues identified by Ofsted.

4. Where can I find out more?

Ofsted 2026 Questions - Parent and Carer questions – Fill out form

Click Here for Ofsted Report 2026

Ofsted 2026 Questions - Parent and Carer questions – Fill out form

For more information on how to understand the new Ofsted report cards, please watch the below video.

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