Ofsted

Brixham College, on Higher Ranscombe Road, received its first graded Ofsted inspection in nine years and was praised for its high expectations of pupils.

The inspection, which took place in October 2023, found the school’s sixth-form provision and personal development to be ‘Good’ but received a ‘Requires Improvement’ rating overall. This is because further improvements are needed regarding education, leadership, and behaviour.

The school says it has a robust improvement plan in place to address these areas. This was recognised by inspectors who said, “the school has already made significant changes with the aim of improving quality of education and pupils’ behaviour.”

As part of the school’s improvement plans, it has joined the National Behaviour Hub Programme. This allows leaders to learn and share best practice for improving pupil behaviour with schools across the county. The school is also working to achieve the University of Exeter's nationally recognised Thinking Accreditation, supporting pupils to become natural independent learners.

Amongst the areas of strength highlighted in the report, inspectors praised the school for implementing the ‘Brixham Way’, which has led to a more “consistent approach” to teaching and learning, which has had a particularly positive impact on children with special educational needs and disabilities. Inspectors also found the curriculum to be “well planned”, “broad and ambitious” and “the school is clear about what pupils need to learn, and when.”

Other key insights from the report include:

• “The school has high expectations of what all pupils can achieve”
• “Sixth-form students have the support and opportunities they need to develop personally, as well as academically.”
• “The school is committed to delivering a high quality social and emotional education.”
• “Leaders are committed to helping pupils to develop their characters and become good citizens”, with the school’s values being integral to all it does.
• The school makes a concerted effort to ensure a broad range of opinions are taught and pupils hear perspectives “that differ from their own”, to ensure they gain a global perspective.
• “Extra-curricular opportunities enable pupils to develop their talents and interests.”
• “Pupils are proud of the support that they give to charities.”
• “The school helps pupils, and their parents understand how to stay safe.”