Hall Mead School was inspected under the auspices of the Office for Standards in Education in January 2005. The report can be accessed on the School website and on www.ofsted.gov.uk. Printed copies of the full report and of a summary are available from the School on request. The following extracts offer an insight into the report's findings.

ON EXAMINATION RESULTS

"GCSE results in 2004 were well above the national average, and they have been very high compared to results in similar schools for the last four years. For several years now the progress that pupils have made during their five years at Hall Mead School has been amongst the best in the country."

ON ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR

"The School is an extremely calm and dignified community. Staff promote correct behaviour exceptionally well and very consistently. New pupils quickly absorb the School's very high expectations and respond very positively. Pupils therefore conduct themselves properly whether in lessons or around the School. Pupils manage their own behaviour particularly well. Consequently, the whole community can pursue the business of learning very effectively and efficiently."

"Relationships are excellent throughout this community. Pupils' initial comment is invariably about the friendliness of the School. Staff and pupils work and play very well together."

"They (pupils) absorb the School's very strong work ethic. Pupils willingly apply themselves to their learning, working hard and performing very well. The exceptionally high level of pastoral support, with its emphasis on inclusion, secures pupils' loyalty to the School. Pupils enjoy the many extra-curricular activities and participate enthusiastically and energetically."

ON TEACHING

"There is a significant amount of very good teaching, across all years, and some excellent practice which is characterised by a wider variety of teaching and learning approaches which pupils find more exciting and stimulating. Teachers adjust work carefully to ensure that the highest attainers and those who have more difficulty can achieve well. They share their own enthusiasm to captivate and engage pupils, and expect very high standards regardless of ability."

ON LINKS WITH PARENTS

"Parents are very confident that the School meets their child's needs, and they value the support given."

ON EFFICIENCY

"The School provides excellent value for money."