School celebrates good Ofsted rating

WARRINGTON’S New Horizons School is celebrating after receiving an overall “good” rating from education watchdogs Ofsted – up from “satisfactory” last time.
After a recent inspection, the school, at Padgate, has achieved a “good” rating in all categories achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management.
But Ofsted list a number of reasons why the school is still not judged “outstanding.”
Teachers do not always offer regular opportunities for students to practise and improve literacy skills in all subjects. Students’ mathematical understanding is not always secure as there are few activities for students to apply mathematical skills in all lessons.
Students’ written work is marked regularly but students have few opportunities to assess their own learning or to talk to teachers about their work. Teachers do not always ensure that pupils understand what is expected of them and reflect upon their learning.
Overall, the Ofsted report says there is an excellent range of well-planned support for students who have personal needs. As a result, they make exceptional progress.
The report also highlights that “parents see the school in extremely positive terms” and “all agreed that their son or daughter had made exceptional progress following their arrival at the school”.
New Horizons’ partnership arrangements with local secondary
Schools are also praised.
Headteacher Karen Thomson said: “We are proud of our school and are delighted that the inspection recognised the school’s many strengths. I am a firm believer in collaboration, partnership and staff at all levels moving across sector to enable better outcomes for young people and thus it was reassuring to elicit the acknowledgement of Ofsted on this particular leadership aspect.
“I am very confident that we have the capacity and drive to continue to make improvements for and with our students in order to fulfil our vision to improve the life chances of all young people whatever barriers to learning they may have.”
The borough council’s lead member for children and young people’s services, Cllr Colin Froggatt (pictured) said: “This is absolutely brilliant news for the school and for the school community. It is truly a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the staff and governing body and what’s been achieved in the last two years is commendable. It is also fantastic that the school’s strong partnership with other local high schools and the local authority was recognised and I am extremely proud of this achievement.”
Ofsted says the school can improve further by ensuring that all teachers plan literacy activities regularly in all subjects so all students make at least good progress in their reading and writing, extending students’ mathematical skills by making sure that in all lessons they have opportunities to apply their mathematical knowledge and understanding.
The school can improve teaching further by planning more explicit activities and encouraging students to reflect on what they have learned, discussing the written marking and feedback given to students further with them so they understand clearly what they need to do to improve.