Ofsted 2013 letter - Wentworth High School

Headteacher: Mrs H L Aaron B Ed (Hons), MA, NPQH
WENTWORTH HIGH SCHOOL
T: 0161 789 4565
E: wentworth.highschool@salford.gov.uk
W: www.wentworthhighschool.org.uk
23 rd April 2013
Dear Parent/Carer
Please find attached a copy of the Ofsted report. We are obviously very disappointed by the overall
judgement and I would ask that you take the time to read the full report as there are many positive
aspects to it as well as it providing us with good guidance which we will act on immediately in order to
improve our school.
The report says that:
Teaching is improving across the school
Students’ achievement is improving in a number of subjects for example science, achievement is
improving and GCSE results in art and modern languages are above average.
Students who require extra help with their learning achieve well due to appropriate support they
receive.
The school is also meeting the needs of those students who arrive at the school at an early stage of
learning English successfully. These students receive support from specialist teachers and quickly gain
the language skills necessary to take an active part in lessons. Consequently they achieve well.
Senior leaders use (this) funding effectively to provide additional support for these students; including
extra classes, one-to-one help with coursework and careers advice.
Students show respect for their school environment.
Students are confident that the school does all it can to protect them from dangers.
The school was judged under a new inspection framework which became statutory in September 2012.
In the framework four judgements are made about the school on; the achievement of pupils, the quality
of teaching, behaviour and safety, and leadership and management. Judgements given can be one of
four categories which are; outstanding, good, requires improvement (formerly satisfactory) and
inadequate.
If any one of these four judgements is found to be inadequate then the school is judged inadequate
overall. I am sorry to say that the inspection team judged the achievement of pupils to be inadequate
and therefore the school was judged to be inadequate overall. This was largely due to the % of pupils
not making the expected rates of progress in English and mathematics.Most of the students who failed
to meet their targets had not been at the school for the full 5 years.
Wentworth Road | Eccles | Manchester | M30 9BP
Wentworth High School is a Vibrant, Inclusive and Proud School.

Headteacher: Mrs H L Aaron B Ed (Hons), MA, NPQH
WENTWORTH HIGH SCHOOL
T: 0161 789 4565
E: wentworth.highschool@salford.gov.uk
W: www.wentworthhighschool.org.uk
Senior leaders are taking effective action to improve the quality of teaching. They have identified
where improvements are required and are providing support for those teachers who require it.
Leaders and managers have recognised this and are taking robust action to tackle it. The quality of
teaching is improving although it is too early to assess the impact of this on current students’ progress
over time. Teachers are held to account for the quality of their teaching and the standards achieved
by students.
I have kept you informed about the English situation and the fact that the resit results – 100% pass rate
with 11 out of 14 students achieving a B could not be credited to us as we have no 6 th Form provision. If
we had been able to include them the data would have been different!
This year’s tracking data shows that rates of progress in English will, once again, be higher than the
national average.
Mathematics is an area of concern for the school. We had taken action to address this and have
virtually a whole new team in place led by an outstanding teacher.
The Headteacher, ably supported by governors, is taking effective action to deal with weak teaching.
For example in mathematics the appointments of two mathematics teachers, including a head of
department, are improving the quality of teaching in this subject.
Our current Year 11 has already achieved better results in mathematics now, in April, than at the end of
summer last year via the early entry policy introduced this year. We decided last year to focus on pupils
achieving a C + grade in maths as that is the most crucial hurdle in terms of progression to college. Our
results were the best we had ever had on that measure – 56% of students achieved this and this year
we will surpass that figure as well as ensuring that pupils make the expected rates of progress during
their time here. Again we are already 4% up on last year’s end of year results. We have the new team
in place and during inspection all lessons observed in maths delivered by our permanent colleagues
were either “outstanding” or “good”. In September two additional colleagues will join the team and we
are certain that results will improve significantly starting in August with the current Year 11.
We do face some challenges as outlined in the report; for example many of our students are not with us
for the full 5 years; some have EAL or SEN needs and we were pleased that our hard work in ensuring
that these students are fully supported was recognised.
Disabled students and those students who require extra help with their learning achieve well because
of the support they receive to help meet their needs. As a result of good care, guidance and support
and the additional help these students receive, the gap between their achievement and that of their
peers is smaller than that found nationally.
Behaviour in general was praised by the inspectors.
“The school staff manage behaviour well....Behaviour around the school...is generally calm.”
Wentworth Road | Eccles | Manchester | M30 9BP
Wentworth High School is a Vibrant, Inclusive and Proud School.

Headteacher: Mrs H L Aaron B Ed (Hons), MA, NPQH
WENTWORTH HIGH SCHOOL
T: 0161 789 4565
E: wentworth.highschool@salford.gov.uk
W: www.wentworthhighschool.org.uk
Behaviour or attitudes to learning was an issue in a minority of lessons and we will be focusing on this
with all our students and teachers via our new Learning Charter. We will be asking for your support
should your child be lacking focus in class.
We are also pleased that our students spoke positively about feeling safe and the way we respond to
incidents of bullying.
Students who met the inspectors said that they feel safe and that staff support them well. Students
agreed that levels of bullying have decreased since the appointment of the current Headteacher. They
are also confident that key staff deal effectively with bullying when it does occur.
The whole Wentworth Team is fully committed to the pursuit of excellence and we will always strive to
do our utmost for all our students. Staff work in holidays and after school, giving up their own time for
no reward other than the achievement of the students and/or their social development and that does
not happen in every school.
Our disappointment has turned to determination and made us ever more focussed on our task and I
urge you to work with us as we will ensure that your child fulfils their potential.
Finally, I would like to thank those of you who took the time to add your views on Parent View – I was
very touched by your positive comments and support for the school. The Inspectors saw this as a real
strength that we were so well supported by you and that you value the work we do for your children.
Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the report or this letter please do not hesitate to contact me or
the Chair of Governors, Mrs Hamnett, via the school.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Yours faithfully
H L Aaron (Mrs)
Headteacher
S Hamnett (Mrs)
Chair of Governing Body
Wentworth Road | Eccles | Manchester | M30 9BP
Wentworth High School is a Vibrant, Inclusive and Proud School.