Executive Principal’s Blog – 17.1.25: ‘Attendance Affects Attainment!’ To add to the busyness at Bushey Meads this week we were joined by an Ofsted Inspection Team led by an HMI Inspector and four other inspectors. At the end of the inspection a few senior BMS Leaders joined the Inspection Team to hear so many fantastic positive comments about our great school, a few of which have been captured below: English is impressive.
The PE Curriculum is well thought out, ambitious and inclusive.
In Science, where highly motivated teachers are teaching with good subject knowledge, building positive relationships with children, students are making good progress.
There is good enrichment work with gallery and international visit opportunities offered in Art.
Summative assessments to check what has been understood are employed in Maths.
The curriculum is ambitious, there is no narrowing and complex needs are met
through the well-designed pathways.
The Sixth Form is an ambitious place and many students aspire to go to university; teaching and learning is high quality and attitudes to learning were strong, lessons are well organised and pupils disciplined, positive and overall there is a lot going on in the Sixth Form – it’s inclusive, has a rich diverse offer with lots of leadership opportunities.
Inspectors saw no serious behaviour issues and students feel safe in the school.
Unfortunately, as the title of this blog says, attendance affects attainment and, despite the incredible work that staff at the school have been doing to improve student attendance, our data in this area sits below the national average for mainstream schools. Low attendance also played a part in a slight dip in GCSE results last year. This may well affect the Ofsted gradings we receive as a school when their final report is published in a few weeks’ time, both in terms of the Quality of Education and Behaviour and Attitudes. Whilst the final Ofsted judgements and outcomes are confidential until the inspection report is published in February, what I can say is that we should all continue to be immensely proud of our wonderful school, which is working hard to deliver high quality education to all students in our care. The report and the detailed feedback provided during the inspection will serve to help all leaders at BMS continue to move the school on in its journey of improvement.  Also, this week I was delighted to hear from Cathy White, the Supporter Engagement Manager at Noah’s Ark Hospice, following the school’s recent fundraising and significant donation of nearly £1600 in memory of Zach Barnes. Dear Jeremy,On behalf of everyone at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, I would like to thank you for your kind donation in memory of Zach Barnes. Please accept our sincere condolences. Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice provides high quality, expert care to babies, children and young people who are seriously unwell, and their families. We help them to enjoy life as children, rather than as patients, as families, not just as carers. Whether a child requires a safe space to play, a picnic with their family or a room at The Ark to feel just like home, we are there. None of this would be possible without the thoughtful support of people such as you, thank you so much. I hope it’s of some comfort to know that your donation will make a real difference, helping families to make the most of every day. With our thanks once again and kind thoughts,Cathy White – Supporter Engagement ManagerKindness continues to be key and, whatever else is going on in life, this needs to be at the forefront of what we do. At the end of another busy and productive week do click on the link to read about this week’s BMS News……. Jeremy TurnerExecutive Principal | 
