Students are being “hindered” at a Sefton school which has been downgraded following an Ofsted inspection.
An Ofsted report published this 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’.
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Pupil attendance at school was among the problems inspectors found to have been insufficiently addressed by school leaders, with the report noting it means some students “miss out on accessing the curriculum, including some essential learning” although it adds that measures are now being taken to address the problem.
Some students were not receiving appropriate support with reading, with inspectors stating in its recommendations that the support available needs to be provided “more evenly” to give students a better chance of progressing.
A particular issue was noted with Key Stage 3 provision, which is not well organised or understood by staff, according to inspectors, which is leaving staff “unclear” about where students are at in terms of understanding and knowledge.
Problems were also identified with how the curriculum was being implemented, with some subjects, in particular, being “significantly less developed”. This is “hindering pupils in successfully building on their learning over time” according to the report.
Staff are also failing to adequately explain technical and vocational options to students, leaving pupils “not fully informed” about pathways open to them.
A spokesperson for the school, which is run by the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust said the school had “recognised the weaknesses” and has put it in place “a rigorous improvement plan” but was also “delighted” for its sixth form to be rated ‘good’.
The spokesperson said: “The inspectors saw many strengths at St Michael's rating behaviour as Good and recognising the school has a well ordered and age appropriate curriculum.
“We were also delighted that they rated the sixth form as Good. However, we recognise the challenges presented by the overall rating of requiring improvement and the areas such as attendance and supporting reading.
“We had recognised these weaknesses and supported by LDST we have already put in place a rigorous improvement plan to address the areas of weakness.
“Under the leadership of our new Executive Headteacher with the full backing of governors and support from the trust we have revisited our school improvement plans and are confident we will be able to meet Ofsted’s Good criteria before our next full inspection.”
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