Hessle High School and Penshurst Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher, chief executive officer and governors are highly ambitious for the school. They have created an ethos of care and a culture of high expectations across the all-through school.

Teachers have good subject knowledge. Most pupils enjoy their learning. Strong relationships exist between pupils and staff.

Pupils make good progress in most year groups. Differences between the progress of disadvantaged pupils and their peers are diminishing. Leaders place a high priority on pupils' academic success as well as their emotional development.

Consequently, there is a comprehensive programme to support pupils' well-b...eing and mental health. The school's work to promote diversity is commendable. The school is a beacon school for its work to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pupils.

There is a strong culture of reading in key stages 1 and 2. However, this is not as evident in key stages 3 and 4. The teaching of spelling is not consistent.

Children in the early years are well cared for and happy. They make good progress from their different starting points. However, adult questioning does not routinely help children to develop their language and communication skills effectively, especially in Nursery.

Pupils' attendance has improved and is now in line with the national average. However, a higher proportion of disadvantaged pupils are regularly absent from school. Students in the sixth form have high aspirations and achieve well.

They are well prepared for their next steps in education, employment or training. Sixth-form students are exceptionally proud of their school and are good role models for younger pupils. British values are fostered well.

However, pupils' understanding of the risks of radicalisation and extremism are not well developed. Leaders ensure that professional development is well tailored to teachers' needs. However, opportunities for teachers and leaders to share ideas across the all-through school are not fully developed.

Information about this school

Hessle High School and Penshurst Primary have a long history of working together as a federation. In February 2017, they became one all-through school, educating children from ages 3 to 19. The all-through school operates over two sites.

There is a primary building and a secondary building, which are approximately two miles apart. The all-through school joined The Consortium Trust in September 2017. The school operates a leadership structure of an executive headteacher, a primary headteacher and an associate headteacher.

The executive headteacher is also the director of education of The Consortium Trust and a national leader of education. There are three local governing boards: a secondary local governing board, a primary local governing board and a sixth-form local governing board. The chair of the secondary local governing board is also chair of the board of trustees.

The school uses East Riding College, Hull College and Motor Trades (GTA) for alternative education provision for pupils of secondary school age. The school is part of a sixth form consortium with two other schools: Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College and Cottingham High School and Sixth Form College. This partnership has been established for 25 years.