Christleton High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and students

This is an outstanding school.

Inspirational leadership and governance, extremely skilful and committed staff and the insatiable thirst for knowledge instilled in students, all ensure that the highest levels of teaching and achievement have been sustained. All groups of students make rapid progress from their starting points. Progress is better than is usually seen nationally by the end of Year 11.

Students maintain higher than expected standards from the time they join the school to when they complete their GCSEs. Attainment is consistently high. Teaching is very effective because teachers are highly skilled, creative and relentless in their determination t...o help all students achieve their potential.

The behaviour of students is exceptional both in and out of classrooms; they are welcoming, courteous and respectful towards each other and to adults. Excellent care and support ensures students feel safe in school, and that they know how to look after themselves in all circumstances. The curriculum ensures that the aspirations of students are very well met, and that they are exceptionally well prepared for life in modern British society.

An exemplary, wide-ranging programme of extra-curricular activities is much appreciated and supported by students. Activities include an enviable range of opportunities that broaden and strengthen students' experiences. This makes a major contribution to students' outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Middle leaders are very effective in bringing about further improvement in the quality of teaching to ensure that even higher standards are achieved by all students. Governors are robust in holding leaders to account for the quality of teaching and the attainment and progress of all students. They ensure that the school is safe.

The governing body actively seeks the views of parents through its own surveys, and acts effectively on the feedback received. The sixth form is good with several outstanding features, including attainment in many subjects, the behaviour and safety, careers guidance and the destinations of students. The quality of teaching, leadership and achievement in the sixth form are good.

At times, assessment information is not used often enough to ensure tasks plug any gaps in understanding and that any potential dips in progress are remedied swiftly. This slows progress for some students.

Information about this school

Christleton High School converted to become an academy school in August 2011.

When its predecessor school, Christleton High School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good overall. This is a larger than average sized secondary school. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups is well below average, so too is the proportion of students who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disadvantaged students supported by the pupil premium is well below average. The pupil premium is additional funding provided for students known to be eligible for free school meals or who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of students supported at school action is average; the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is well below average.

The school meets the government's current floor standard, which is the minimum expectation for students' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school has specialist status in mathematics and computing and in business and enterprise. A very small number of students attend part-time alternative provision at Chester College.