Ofsted 2013 letter - Wentworth High School

More documents

Recommendations

Info

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.
Page 1: Headteacher: Mrs H L Aaron B Ed (Ho

Ofsted 2013 letter - Wentworth High School

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?