Calderdale high school where pupils are 'safe, happy and feel like they belong'
Ofsted has commended some aspects of a Calderdale high school but says improvements are needed in others.
Pupils are “safe and happy at Brighouse High School”, said the education watchdog’s latest inspection report, behave well, are keen to learn feel they belong in their school community.
SEND and disadvantaged pupils are well supported, and all students know who to go to if they have any worries or concerns, with bullying dealt with effectively, says the report.
But it also says weaknesses in teaching are “currently limiting how well pupils learn”.
"In some lessons, teachers do not routinely check that all pupils have understood what has been taught,” says the report.
“Pupils also have too few opportunities to revisit prior learning, which affects how securely they remember important knowledge over time.”
The report, published this week after an inspection in March, does acknowledge that action was already underway to address this.
It adds that a range of mental health and wellbeing support is provided which helps pupils to grow in confidence in school and beyond.
And it says: “Students are well supported to make sure they are well prepared for adulthood. They receive support to prepare for university, training and employment.”
The inspectors have made four recommendations for improvement including ensuring “highly effective teaching” is embedded across the school.
Richard Horsfield, headteacher Brighouse High School, said: “The report highlights what we believe are some of the defining features of our school: a strong culture of care, positive relationships between staff and students, effective safeguarding, good behaviour, strong personal development and an inclusive environment where young people feel safe, supported and valued.
"We are particularly pleased that attendance, behaviour, inclusion, personal development and sixth form provision were all judged to meet the expected standard, a high national benchmark. Inspectors also recognised the breadth of opportunities available to our students and the commitment shown by staff in supporting young people both academically and personally.
"At the same time, the report identifies areas where further development is needed, particularly in achievement, curriculum and teaching, and aspects of leadership and governance.
"We accept those findings and recognise that there is more work to do.
"The areas identified by inspectors are not a surprise to us. They reflect priorities that we had already identified and begun addressing before the inspection took place.
"Over the past year we have strengthened our focus on improving the consistency of teaching, ensuring that learning is checked more effectively in lessons, and sharpening our approach to school improvement so that actions have a greater impact on students' outcomes.
"I would like to thank our staff, governors, students and families for the contribution they make to our school community. The positive culture recognised throughout the report is a reflection of their commitment, hard work and support.
"Brighouse High School has a great deal to be proud of, but we are not complacent.
"We are ambitious for every young person who attends our school and remain firmly focused on ensuring that the quality of learning and achievement matches the strength of the culture, care and wider opportunities that our students experience every day.”