Haydock High makes mighty strides in latest Ofsted report (From St Helens Star)

Haydock High makes mighty strides in latest Ofsted report

4:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A SECONDARY school has achieved considerable improvements in its latest Ofsted report.

Haydock High School earned a ranking of “good” in all the main categories scrutinised by inspectors.

Some of the teaching was classed as “outstanding”.

It represented a big improvement from its previous inspection of satisfactory in December 2009, and provides a boost to a school, which missed out on funding for a major rebuilding programme.

Inspectors, who visited the 600-pupil school on Clipsley Lane for two days in February, praised its teaching and noted that pupils’ grades were improving.

The report, led by inspector Gillian Salter-Smith, stated: “Students’ achievement has improved considerably since the previous inspection.

“Students are well prepared for the next stage of their education and have secure literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology skills.

“The close attention the school gives to the progress of every student, whatever their circumstances, reflects a strong commitment to equality of opportunity.”

Teachers are said to plan lessons very carefully and set out tasks “that get the best out of every student, whatever their capabilities”.

Andy Pollard, who became head teacher in 2010, is also praised for the direction he is leading the school in.

The report stated: “The head teacher’s ambition and relentless and successful drive for improvement in teaching and students’ achievement are well supported by other leaders, governors and staff.”

Ofsted found further room for improvement, however.

Areas where the school can do better include setting more ambitious targets for pupils at an earlier stage and enforcing rigorous checking systems to ensure strategies are in place to accelerate learning of children who may have fallen back.

Stepping all teaching to outstanding level and giving students opportunity to use maths in real-life scenarios are also set as targets for Haydock.

Councillor Alison Bacon said the report was evidence that pupils, staff, parents and governors had “gone the extra mile to bring about such rapid improvements.”

Mr Pollard said the community had a school it could be proud of.

School report...the highlights:

• Leaders and governors are determined and successful in their ambitions for the school
• Most students make good progress
• Extra help for disabled students, those with special educational needs and those who have fallen behind in their reading, is exceptionally well-organised
• Students behave well in lessons and develop into mature and responsible people who are eager to achieve well
• Pupils take their responsibilities within the school seriously, especially when helping younger students to enjoy reading