Chiltern Hills Academy
Chartridge Lane, Chesham, HP5 2RG
Inspection dates
27–28 February 2013
Previous inspection:
Not previously inspected
This inspection:
Good
2
Achievement of pupils
Good
2
Quality of teaching
Good
2
Behaviour and safety of pupils
Good
2
Leadership and management
Good
2
Overall effectiveness
Summary of key findings for parents and pupils
This is a good school
Students achieve well. Although below average, GCSE results are improving rapidly year on year and students make good progress from their different starting points.
Teaching is typically good and sometimes outstanding. Lessons are observed regularly by leaders and there is good provision for inschool training so that teachers can continue to improve their skills.
The sixth form is good. Students make good progress because of good or better teaching.
Students behave well and feel very safe.
They have a good understanding of the academy’s high expectations of behaviour and attitudes to others.
The governing body provides outstanding governance of the academy and, through careful review of all activities, ensures there is an excellent balance of challenge and support.
The Principal and senior leaders provide very effective leadership which has contributed well to the improvements brought about over the last two years.
The good curriculum meets the different needs of students very well.
Provision for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good and ensures that students develop well into informed and reflective young people.
It is not yet an outstanding school because
There is not yet enough outstanding teaching The quality of leadership is inconsistent at to raise achievement higher. Not enough subject level in the school and this means the opportunities are provided for more able pace of improvement overall is not as rapid as students to attain the highest grades. it could be.
Inspection report: Chiltern Hills Academy, 27–28 February 2013
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Information about this inspection
Inspectors observed 34 lessons, of which five were joint observations with a member of the school’s senior leadership team.
Meetings were held with members of the governing body, including the Chair, and with senior and middle leaders as well as with three groups of students.
Inspectors took account of 18 responses to the on-line Parent View survey and 26 responses to the staff questionnaire.
Inspectors looked at key documents including the school’s plans for improvement, the minutes of meetings of the governing body, the school’s own data on students’ progress, records relating to self-evaluation, behaviour and attendance, policies and procedures for safeguarding and samples of students’ work during lesson observations.
Inspection team
Peter Limm, Lead inspector
Her Majesty’s Inspector
Elizabeth Bull
Additional Inspector
Glen Goddard
Additional Inspector
Justine Hocking
Additional Inspector
Inspection report: Chiltern Hills Academy, 27–28 February 2013
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Full report
Information about this school
Chiltern Hills Academy is smaller than the average secondary school and serves the small town of Chesham. It became an academy on 1 September 2011 and specialises in performing arts and design. Most students are from White British backgrounds but the proportion from minority ethnic groups is above average.
The proportion of students who speak English as an additional language is high, but very few are at an early stage of learning English.
The proportions of students supported at school action and school action plus or with a statement of special education needs are below average.
The proportion of students eligible for the pupil premium, which is additional government funding for students known to be entitled to free school meals, those in local authority care and children of service families, is broadly the same as that found nationally.
The academy meets the
