'Next Steps' - The School's Response

1. The curriculum should be reviewed:

• to increase the allocation for science in years 7 to 9 and consider ways to reduce the crowding of subjects in the timetable

Response: From September 2006 the number of Science lessons in Year 8 will be increased from 4 to 5 per week. We will review the timetable further next year to consider the Science allocation in Years 7 and 9. The 'crowding of subjects in the timetable' in these early years may be unavoidable. Making pupils drop some subjects through an options system in Years 8 or 9 would be possible, but it would introduce specialisation at too young an age and would reduce later subject choice at GCSE.

• to increase the subject teaching time for subjects in Year 13

Response: This is a technical timetabling issue. To add an extra lesson to each subject studied in Year 13 (U6) is currently not possible, given the other requirements of the timetable. In the longer term we will be reviewing the whole school timetable, and such additions may be possible as part of a complete re-structuring. In the meantime, the A-level teachers will fit in additional Year 13 lessons on an ad hoc or off-timetable basis, as many are already doing.

• to make better use of form periods in support of pastoral care in the lower years, perhaps by including aspects of PSHE

Response: From September 2006, as a pilot study, one form period per week in Year 8 we will make use of Prefects to assist with the more perfunctory tasks of merit point counting etc (see 3.4) so as to free up the Form Tutor for additional PSHE and study guidance time. We will review the success of this at the end of the year and consider whether to extend the scheme to other year groups thereafter.

2. In order to raise standards across the school:

• the quality of teaching and learning in their subjects should be made the responsibility of heads of departments

Response: The SMT will re-emphasise this responsibility to the Heads of Departments and incorporate it into their Job Descriptions. We will monitor that it is being carried out through the Appraisal system.

• Progress should be monitored systematically in all departments and good practice, already much in evidence, should be shared more widely across the school, for example in developing differentiated teaching of pupils of different abilities and in setting targets for pupils in their work.

Response: Those Departments who are already doing this will share their good practice through presentations at our regular Heads of Department meetings. All Departments will then be monitored by the SMT to ensure that these requirements are being carried out.

• More time should be given by senior management to communication and discussion with middle management, to ensure the better implementation of procedures and policies, and to harness the contributions of experienced staff to the school's development.

Response: In addition to the weekly meeting of the pastoral middle management team (Heads of KS3, KS4 and 6th Form and their deputies) with the senior management team, further regular meetings with each Section Head will be instituted at which the implementation of procedures and policies will be discussed. The academic middle management team (Heads of Departments) currently have twice-termly meetings attended by the Headmaster and Deputy Head Academic. These will be changed to a pattern of more frequent but shorter meetings; and more frequent meetings of individual Heads of Departments with members of the senior management team will also be scheduled.

3. The school should consider the introduction of a policy for individual staff development as part of the support given to all teachers. This might be associated with the appraisal system and might also involve a senior member of staff with responsibility for staff training who is aware of the needs of the individual and of the school.

Response: We will draw up an appropriate policy, and the Deputy Head Academic will be given responsibility for co-ordinating staff training.

4. As opportunity and funds permit, the school should seek to improve some facilities at the school. As well as the refectory and larger accommodation for art and drama, already in the school's future planning, other priorities would be to improve stock and resources in the library, and if possible to improve the on-site facilities for sport.

Work is already scheduled to begin in Autumn 2007 on a major new building comprising a new Refectory, Drama Studio and other classrooms. The present Refectory will then be refurbished as accommodation for Art, and the present Drama Studio will become available for additional classroom space or other use. The Library's book purchase budget will be increased by over £1,000 in 2006-7, with further increases thereafter; it will have additional computers installed on a rolling programme. The school site is severely restricted by planning considerations, but the planning authorities will be consulted about the location of a possible future Sports Hall in the longer term.