A Bexley grammar school has earned a top “exceptional” rating from Ofsted for its attendance and behaviour — just weeks after a new headteacher arrived.
Beths Grammar School, in Hartford Road, secured one “exceptional” rating, five “strong standard” ratings and one of the “expected standard” in its most recent Ofsted report.
Under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, introduced in November last year, an “exceptional” grade means practice is of the highest standard nationally, and other schools can learn from it.
Inspectors deemed attendance and behaviour at the boys’ school to be of this standard, with persistent absence found to be “significantly below national averages”.
The Ofsted report, published on November 9, said: “Rates of attendance are extremely high across all year groups, including in the sixth form.”
“This is because pupils are highly motivated. They want to be in school and are reluctant to miss out on their learning or the breadth of wider opportunities available to them.”
“Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary across the school. They are self-disciplined and respectful. They care about the school and about one another.”
Also praised in the report was the school’s achievement, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance.
Pupils’ personal development and wellbeing was considered by the education watchdog to be a “high priority”, with a “wide range” of enrichment activities and trips available, such as an annual camp in Year 8 and regular talks from external speakers.
The glowing report comes within new headteacher Alex O’Donnell’s first term at Beths — and follows Ofsted’s visit only three weeks into her leadership. After joining the school in September, Mrs O’Donnell said she was “impressed” by the “genuine enjoyment of learning” she sees every day in the school’s classrooms.
She said: “I was delighted to welcome the inspection team, albeit that I had only just found my feet in the school!”
“I am particularly pleased that Ofsted recognised not only our strong academic outcomes, but also the culture that defines Beths: one of ambition, kindness, inclusion and high expectations.”
“This report reflects what we see every day: students who are proud of their school, committed to their learning and eager to make the most of the exceptional opportunities available to them.”
Beths is not the only south-east London school to win praise from the watchdog recently: schools and nurseries across the region were ranked in a new education guide, and Seven Kings School was named among the most in-demand state secondaries in the capital.
