Mobile ban helps Bilton School tackle bullying

The original dip into special measures last year highlighted a problem with bullying.

The new report shows a big change here with pupils saying very little bullying takes place – and they attribute that to the banning of mobile phones.

The feedback from the vist on January 24 to 25 highlights the closer working with Southam College, an outstanding school, is paying dividends.

Lead inspector Rob Hackfath said: “Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of specia measures.”

The report highlighted Southam’s role in this. It said: “Leaders benefit by close working with colleagues from Southam College. The headteacher at Southam College visits Bilton regularly and analyses performance information.

“Subject leaders affected by changes in national assessment systems benefit from developing their responses to these alterations with colleagues from Southam.

“There has been a positive impact of external support on leaders’ capability and school processes.”

But there was a cautionary note: “However, the impact of these actions is yet to be fully realised on pupils’ outcomes.”

The report said there remain uneven progress rates for different groups of pupils and subjects but with a number of highlights, including an improvement in outcomes for students following 16–19 study programmes.

Other highlights include good leadership in maths, good application of the literacy policy, better use of behaviour and reward policies, a positive learning climate in school and effective safeguarding policies.