Pleckgate High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school are strongly supported to develop aspirational goals for their future lives. They thrive in a well-established culture of high academic expectations. Pupils value the expertise and support of their teachers, who help them to develop the resilience and determination to succeed.

Consequently, pupils achieve highly across the curriculum.

The school fosters a harmonious and supportive environment. Pupils learn the importance of being kind and respectful towards others.

They do not tolerate discrimination in any form. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary in lessons and at social times. During transition times, they move calmly and purposefully arou...nd school.

This helps pupils to feel happy and safe in school.

Pupils benefit from an extensive programme of high-quality experiences that supplement and enhance their learning, including a vast array of clubs, trips and visiting speakers. The school helps pupils to understand the importance of being active citizens and contributing to the school and to the wider community.

For example, pupils take on leadership roles in school and undertake many charitable endeavours to help other people.

The school goes to great lengths to identify and overcome any barriers that may hinder pupils' participation in any aspect of school life. It is determined that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit fully from the school's rich and inspiring offer.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school and the trust are united in their aim to provide pupils with an education of exceptional quality. Raising aspirations is central to the school's vision. It is determined that pupils, particularly the most disadvantaged, are equipped to make ambitious choices for their next steps.

The trust works closely with the school and with local governors. It has strong systems of oversight that enable it to provide the school with highly effective challenge and support.

The school ensures that pupils have the necessary knowledge and skills to benefit from the curriculum.

Staff provide highly effective support to pupils who struggle with literacy. For example, they recognised that, after the COVID pandemic, more pupils needed help with their handwriting and have acted swiftly to put this in place. Gaps in pupils' reading knowledge are promptly identified and addressed.

Pupils have many opportunities to enjoy reading, including by sharing novels with their tutors and regular 'book-talk' discussions in the library.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious. It has been thoughtfully designed to enable pupils to develop an impressive understanding of each subject.

The school has carefully ordered learning so that pupils revisit and build on their prior knowledge. It keeps the curriculum under regular review to ensure that it meets the specific needs and context of current pupils.

The school ensures that staff benefit from regular professional development.

It provides clear guidance on what staff should be doing and when. This helps to reduce unnecessary workload. Teachers accrue the knowledge and expertise to design highly effective lessons.

They make careful checks on pupils' learning; swiftly identifying and addressing any misconceptions before they become fixed in pupils' memory. As a result, pupils develop a secure body of knowledge and achieve highly.

The school identifies pupils with SEND accurately and ensures that they are well supported.

Staff are well informed about these pupils. They tailor learning activities to meet pupils' additional needs effectively. This enables pupils with SEND to progress well through the curriculum.

Pupils display positive attitudes towards their learning. Staff are well trained to assist pupils who struggle to regulate their own behaviour. The school fosters a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

Pupils enjoy their time at school and rates of attendance are high. The school quickly identifies any pupil whose attendance starts to decline. It works closely with parents and carers to address any issues that may prevent pupils from attending as often as they should.

Pupils benefit from an exceptionally rich and comprehensive programme of personal development. Their learning covers a broad range of topics, including health and well-being, online safety and healthy relationships. Expert staff have created safe and respectful environments that allow pupils to confidently discuss and debate their own views.

Pupils receive timely guidance about careers and their next steps in education or training. This provides pupils with the knowledge that they need to make well-informed choices for their futures.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.