Following our inspection on 19 May 2026, BSE County High School was graded as follows:

Graded at the STRONG STANDARD in:

• Personal Development and Wellbeing

Graded at the EXPECTED STANDARD in:

• Achievement
• Attendance and Behaviour
• Curriculum and Teaching
• Inclusion
• Leadership and Governance

This represents a significant achievement for our school and reflects the hard work, commitment and ambition of our staff, students and wider community. It recognises the sustained improvement made since our last inspection in 2022.

Overall Summary

• Safeguarding is strong, with an open culture where pupils feel safe and well supported.
• Pupils enjoy attending a friendly, inclusive school with a strong sense of community.
• Relationships between pupils and staff are positive, and pupils feel cared for and valued.

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Personal Development & Wellbeing (Strong Standard)

• A highly effective PSHE programme helps pupils develop a deep understanding of key life topics.
• Pupils are confident, respectful and get on well with each other.
• A wide range of clubs, visits and enrichment opportunities builds confidence and broadens experiences.
• Pupils take on leadership roles and feel their voices are heard.
• Careers guidance is strong, ensuring pupils are well prepared for their next steps.

Achievement

• Pupils make steady progress and achieve well across the curriculum.
• Outcomes are close to national averages, with strengths in English and mathematics.
• Disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND achieve well.
• Targeted support helps pupils catch up quickly where needed.
• Reading is prioritised so that younger pupils quickly become confident readers.

Behaviour & Attendance

• Pupils behave well, and the school is calm and orderly.
• Pupils have positive attitudes to learning.
• Bullying is not tolerated, and pupils trust staff to deal with concerns effectively.
• Attendance is improving, supported by strong pastoral care and relationships.

Curriculum & Teaching

• The curriculum is ambitious, well sequenced and builds on prior learning.
• Teachers have secure subject knowledge and deliver engaging lessons
• Assessment is used effectively to identify gaps and support progress.
• Additional support helps pupils who fall behind to catch up quickly.

Inclusion & Support

• Strong systems ensure pupils with SEND are well supported and can access the full curriculum.
• The Martlet Centre provides effective personalised support for pupils with additional needs.
• Pupil premium funding is used effectively to support achievement and wellbeing.
• Pupils benefit from tailored interventions and inclusive opportunities.

Leadership & Governance

• Leaders have a clear vision and place pupils’ best interests at the heart of decisions.
• A positive school culture has been established and maintained through significant change.
• Strong systems for monitoring and improvement ensure standards continue to rise.
• Staff value professional development opportunities and feel supported.
• Staff wellbeing is prioritised, and staff are proud to work at the school.

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School Culture & Experience

• Pupils feel happy, safe and supported in school.
• Diversity is celebrated and pupils develop respect for others.
• Pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment and leadership opportunities.
• Pupils are well prepared for life beyond school and future pathways.