Meeting the mark: Dallam praised by Ofsted inspectors
We are proud to share Ofsted’s findings following its visit to Dallam in April. Thanks to everyone who completed a questionnaire or took part in the visit; the whole school community from parents and guardians to trustees, staff and students showed that Dallam is continuing its journey of rapid improvement.
We’re also pleased to share with you details of priority work going forward. These are outlined below the report’s findings and are already underway.
Ofsted’s findings
Inspectors visiting the school in April found pupils thriving in a safe, supportive, inclusive environment with strong pastoral care.
Five of the seven evaluation areas met Ofsted’s expected standards: inclusion; leadership and governance; attendance and behaviour; personal development and wellbeing; and post-16 provision. Inspectors said improvement plans are already addressing two areas they identified as needing attention – achievement, and curriculum and teaching.
The report authors describe Dallam School leadership as united, reflective and well-supported, with leaders and trustees working collaboratively to drive improvement, support staff and work with external partners.
Pupils are described as safe, happy and part of a calm, purposeful atmosphere where positive relationships with staff matter and bullying is dealt with quickly. Inspectors said that pupils feel that they belong at the school because adults listen to them. And that leaders have established high expectations for behaviour by introducing consistent routines.
Pupils benefit from extensive extracurricular opportunities, careers guidance and wellbeing support.
Inspectors praised inclusion and pupil support. Leaders were acknowledged for identifying additional needs early, supporting vulnerable pupils effectively and making thoughtful use of pupil premium funding and alternative provision.
Ofsted recognised that, while some pupils are capable of achieving stronger outcomes in national tests and exams, leaders have already identified priority areas for improvement and are taking action to strengthen consistency in teaching and learning. Inspectors highlighted work to improve writing fluency and spelling, while noting that reading interventions are already having a positive impact.
Headteacher Steven Henneberry said:
Meeting the expected standard is not a ‘basic pass’; it represents a high, secure level of quality and means pupils are getting what they need and deserve. We know there is more to do, and we are working at pace to make further improvements. The report reflects our commitment to ensuring every young person feels they belong, is supported to learn successfully and is able to thrive.
A copy of Ofsted’s inspection report from their visit on 28 April 2026 is available to dowload below.
What happens next?
The report also notes our next stage of improvement work, particularly around achievement and the consistency of teaching and learning. This is work we had already identified as a priority, and it is already underway.
We are taking this work forward in the following ways:
- Continued investment in high-quality teaching through The PTI, helping to strengthen ambitious, engaging and knowledge-rich learning across the curriculum
- A consistent coaching and quality assurance model through Steplab to support teaching development and classroom consistency
- A structured handwriting programme to improve presentation, writing fluency and literacy across the school
- Continued investment in careers education and work experience to raise aspirations and support future pathways
- A structured Sixth Form engagement programme to help build aspiration and strengthen GCSE achievement
- One-to-one Futures guidance from Year 9 to Year 13 to support informed choices, ambition and next steps
Leadership development remains an important part of that picture. The report recognises the unity and clarity now in place across the school, and that has been strengthened through leadership development work with Neil Jurd and Leader Connect.
