After disappointment in 2019 comes elation in 2022 as Byrchall High School in Wigan has gone from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’, according to a recent Ofsted report. The Ashton -based school was judged to be “good” in all four inspection areas by the inspector.
Ofsted said that the school’s strategy “has pupils’ best interests at heart” and that improvements made over recent years have made “a real and positive difference to the quality of pupil’s education”. This is something that has brought delight to the headteacher after his school bounced back from the coronavirus pandemic.
Alan Birchall, headteacher at Byrchall, said: “We are genuinely pleased with the outcome of the report.
READ MORE: Criminal brothers hauled to court after Audi trying to flee from police pulls into dead end
“Despite the impact of Covid, we have managed to push forward with the challenge of offering students an engaging and enriching educational journey that prepares them for the rest of their lives. Our students and staff worked hard to showcase the strengths of our school during the recent inspection and I am delighted the inspectors could see for themselves, all our community has to offer.
“Byrchall is a very special school where every student belongs and it remains a privilege to lead it.”
This is positive news for the area of Ashton, which is still reeling from the closure notices of two primary schools in the area. Abram Bryn Gates Primary School and Our Lady’s Immaculate Catholic Primary School were both struggling financially and had dipping pupil numbers - forcing the hand of Wigan Council.
The school was visited by four inspectors: Timothy Gartside, Philip Lloyd, David Woodhouse and David Roberts. They commented that pupils “gain the knowledge that they need to live safe and happy lives”.
“Staff provide many extra opportunities, including clubs and school trips, to enhance the curriculum,” the report continued. “Many pupils are keen to take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about the wider world.”
Within weeks of the end of the final lockdown, the school relaunched their extra-curricular offering and the diverse range of clubs and trips have continued since. The inspectors spoke positively about life in the school community, explaining that pupils “behave well around the large school site” and that lessons “take place without disruption”. Pupils told inspectors that “they feel safe at school” and that as part of the school curriculum they “learn how to keep safe when out in the wider community and online”.
The report is the latest in good news stories for Byrchall High School, with “extremely positive GCSE results” in August 2022, according to the headteacher, and a planning application currently under consideration for a brand new and deluxe school building, as part of the government’s £1 billion school rebuilding project.
The outcome of the application is due anytime now.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
-
Council 'could have bought Man United' with the money lost through budget cuts
-
Shisha bar accused of ‘operating unlawfully’ after police called out after hours
-
'I delivered pizzas during the pandemic – now I work in tech for Deliveroo'
-
The list of sites in Manchester where new affordable homes are set to be built
-
Manchester council braced for budget cuts and 3 pc council tax hike to plug £96m gap
