Laurence Jackson School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school Since the previous inspection, senior leaders and governors have not been effective in making the significant improvements which were recommended, rapidly enough. Overall, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment limits the progress of pupils to such an extent that they do not make the progress expected of them in several subjects, including English and mathematics. Pupils are not challenged effectively enough to ensure that they produce work which is of the quality of which they are capable.

Pupils' work in mathematics, for example, in many cases is of a very poor quality. The progress of disadvantaged pupils has for some time rema...ined well below that of other pupils nationally who have similar starting points. Over the past two years, the attendance of disadvantaged pupils, and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), has been far too low.

The effectiveness of leadership and management across the school is inconsistent. It is only recently that key leadership posts have been appointed to, and the school has been overly reliant upon external support and funding. Governance is weak.

Until very recently, the governing body has not held school leaders to account for the necessary improvements. Similarly, governors have not challenged leaders about the impact of their use of the additional funding the school receives for disadvantaged pupils and for those with SEND. The school has the following strengths Since the appointment of the new headteacher in September 2018, leaders now have an appropriate focus on the key priorities for improvement.

Under the leadership of the new headteacher, leaders are now rightly reviewing the curriculum and its implementation, to ensure that all pupils' needs are met.

Information about this school

A new headteacher was appointed in September 2018. The school is a larger than average-sized secondary school.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below average. The proportion who have an education, health and care plan is above average.

Most pupils are White British. A number of pupils attend several alternative provision sites in the local area, including Redcar and Cleveland Training, Connect 2 Education, Archway and Middlesbrough College. Responsibility for the school rests with the governing body.

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