A school in Bolton has suffered a major setback after Ofsted concluded it no longer deserved its ‘good’ rating but instead ‘required improvement’.
The damning report by the education standards regulator blasted Westhoughton High School for its performance in maths and found the most able students are not always challenged in lessons.
In 2011 the school had received a ‘good’ rating but the recent report highlighted a regression in standards.
The Ofsted report read: “Students’ achievement is not consistently good in several subjects and requires improvement, especially in mathematics.”
“The most-able students are not always effectively challenged in lessons. Consequently, many do not make the progress they should.
The report also criticised the quality of teaching at the school for its failure to ensure that students’ individual needs are met, while governors were found not to be holding senior leaders to account well enough to ensure rapid improvements in pupils’ achievement and progress.
Head teacher Philip Hart expressed his ‘disappointment’ at the verdict, but vowed to continue improving the school.
“Whilst it is very disappointing to have the overall judgement as it is from the ‘good’previously, all our key progress indicators are much stronger than they were at that point in time,” Mr Hart said.
“These are key elements that enable young people to successfully begin their adult lives.
“Our community and parent focus groups recognise where we are seeking to effect further improvements to ensure that all our students, regardless of age, ability or social circumstance achieve their full potential in all subjects on the curriculum.
“This remains to be our main challenge as we move forward.”
Image courtesy of marsmet 491, with thanks
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