Overton Grange School

Overton Grange School is a caring and inclusive community where pupils feel safe, are treated fairly and behave well. Inspectors found strengths in behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management, with effective safeguarding, strong pastoral care, a broad curriculum and a wide range of wider opportunities. Leaders have brought stability after a period of turbulence, and recent changes are beginning to have a positive impact. The school is a single academy trust with a new headteacher and a specialist resourced provision for pupils with hearing impairment. The main concerns lie in the quality of education and sixth-form provision. Curriculum thinking and implementation are inconsistent across subjects and year groups, including the sixth form. In some subjects, teaching does not routinely check pupils’ understanding or address misconceptions, so pupils move on before they are secure and gaps remain. This contributes to variable published outcomes at key stages 4 and 5. Pupils’ attitudes to learning are not consistently positive, especially where curriculum delivery is weaker, and some pupils remain persistently absent despite recent improvements in attendance. Personal development is a notable strength. Pupils benefit from a thorough programme that addresses safety and health, high-quality careers advice and a range of enrichment, trips, clubs and leadership roles. Pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils are supported to take part in wider school life, although the impact of SEND support is sometimes variable. Governors know the school well and work constructively with leaders, and staff speak positively about recent changes.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe and are treated fairly in a caring community.
• Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school site.
• Leaders have established stability and recent changes are having a positive impact.
• The curriculum is broad and ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND.
• The school offers a wide choice of academic and vocational subjects in Years 10 to 13.
• Curriculum design is generally clear and well sequenced in many subjects.
• Diversity is promoted through the curriculum, including a range of culturally diverse texts.
• Teachers typically have secure subject knowledge and present information clearly.
• The personal development programme is thorough and carefully considers pupils’ risks.
• Pupils access a range of sports teams, clubs, trips and enrichment activities.
• Careers advice and guidance are high quality, with tailored support in the sixth form.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective.
• Governors know the school well and work constructively with leaders.
• Attendance has recently improved.
• Reading for pleasure is prioritised, with more precise support for less confident readers.
• All pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, are supported to take part in wider school life and leadership roles.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum thinking lacks precision in some subjects and year groups, including the sixth form.
• Curriculum implementation is inconsistent across the school.
• Teaching does not routinely check pupils’ understanding or address misconceptions.
• Pupils sometimes move on before securing prior knowledge, leaving gaps in understanding.
• Some lesson activities do not ensure pupils practise and master content in sufficient depth.
• Pupils’ attitudes to learning are not consistently positive.
• Some pupils are not fully engaged in lessons, which limits their achievement.
• Public examination outcomes at key stages 4 and 5 are variable and not high enough in some subjects.
• The impact of support for pupils with SEND is sometimes variable.
• Some pupils remain stubbornly and persistently absent despite recent improvements.
• The proportion of pupils studying the English Baccalaureate has historically been low.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

• Carew Academy
• Harris Academy Sutton
• Wallington County Grammar School
• Wallington High School for Girls
• Wilson's School

What is Overton Grange School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Overton Grange School is Requires Improvement, from an inspection in January 2025.

When was Overton Grange School last inspected by Ofsted?

Overton Grange School was last inspected in January 2025.

How many pupils does Overton Grange School have?

Overton Grange School has 1,092 pupils on roll.

What age range does Overton Grange School cover?

Overton Grange School for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are Overton Grange School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 47.3, and 45% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Overton Grange School?

Overton Grange School is at 36 Stanley Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 6TQ.