Students are being “hindered” at a Sefton school which has been downgraded following an Ofsted inspection.
An Ofsted report published last week following an inspection at St Michael’s Church of England High School in Crosby during November found weaknesses in curriculum, teaching and leadership that are impeding the progress of some students at the school.
While behaviour and attitudes, personal development and sixth form provision were rated as ‘good’ at the academy, which teaches over 700 children in Sefton, the inspection identified issues around the quality of education and leadership and management which led to it being downgraded overall from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.
St Michael’s is the most recent school to receive the low ranking from the education watchdog, but the Sefton schools listed below were also deemed to ‘require improvement’ by Ofsted.
While behaviour and attitudes, personal development and sixth form provision were rated as ‘good’ at the academy, which teaches over 700 children in Sefton, the inspection identified issues around the quality of education and leadership and management which led to it being downgraded overall from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.
5. Hillside High School
Hillside High School was rated ‘requires improvement’ in its latest report in September 2021. The Ofsted report reads: “Teachers have increasingly high expectations of pupils. The quality of education for all pupils is improving. However, some pupils are not progressing through the curriculum as well as they should. This is because, until recently, pupils did not benefit from a sufficiently ambitious curriculum. In recent years, pupils at key stage 4, especially those who are disadvantaged, have not achieved well.”
6. Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre
Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre was rated ‘requires improvement’ in its latest report in February 2020. The Ofsted report reads: “Many teachers now have high expectations of most pupils. Pupils are engaged in school life. Most teachers deal well with any disruptions to learning. Pupils are learning more as a result. That said, some pupils, especially disadvantaged pupils, have not made the progress that they should have due to weaknesses in the curriculum. Students’ learning is not strong in the sixth form.”
7. Marshside Primary School
Marshside Primary School was ranked ‘requires improvement’ in its latest report in January 2020. The Ofsted report states: “In 2019 at the end of key stage 2, pupils’ attainment in reading, writing and mathematics was lower than pupils nationally. Leaders are developing the curriculum to ensure that pupils’ achievement improves, and they do well across all subjects. Leaders are taking steps to enhance pupils’ enthusiasm for reading. Teachers share a wide range of books and stories with pupils. Plans are in place to purchase additional books for pupils to read. Pupils are given regular time for quiet reading."
8. King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes
King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes was rated ‘requires improvement’ in its latest report in January 2020. The Ofsted report states: “Since the last inspection, leaders have made subject curriculums more challenging for pupils. Staff have raised their expectations of what pupils can achieve. That said, pupils do not benefit from an overall good quality of education. This is because, in some subjects, weaknesses remain in how well the curriculum is delivered."