The Barlow RC High School and Specialist Science College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Senior leaders were determined to overcome the shortcomings identified at the previous inspection. They have secured the improvements required and provide a good quality of education at the school. Senior leadership is a strength of the school, providing the ambition and capacity to further strengthen the quality of education.

Leaders know the school well. They meticulously and effectively plan, review and refine actions to improve the school. Governance is effective.

Governors take their responsibilities seriously. They challenge and support senior leaders to improve the school. Leaders, including governors, promote positive values clear...ly and consistently.

They set and support a culture where pupils are aspirational, considerate of others and hard working. Leaders' plan an effective curriculum for pupils. Pupils study courses which meet their needs.

Senior leaders' appointment of a school improvement partner has supported the development of subject leadership, which is now consistently effective. Teaching is effective. The weaknesses in the teaching of mathematics and science, which were seen at the previous inspection, have been rectified.

Teaching is especially strong in English, geography, history, French and Spanish. Pupils routinely think deeply and apply their learning creatively in these subjects. Despite effective teaching, these strengths are less evident elsewhere.

Pupils' outcomes are good. They make good progress during their time at the school and successfully move on to next steps. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported effectively.

The management of the additional funding provided for disadvantaged pupils is effective. These pupils make good progress. Pupils' behaviour is good.

They are courteous, happy and confident. Pupils' conduct around school and attitudes to learning are positive. Pupils' attendance is good overall.

There is scope for leaders to improve the attendance of a minority of disadvantaged pupils, and those with SEND, who have weaker attendance. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school. Pupils understand and value differences.

A strong culture of safeguarding exists throughout the school. Pupils say staff know them and care about their well-being.

Information about this school

The Barlow RC High School and Specialist Science College is an average-sized secondary school.

The school is part of the Diocese of Salford. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is in line with the national average.

The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is in line with the national average. The school uses two alternative providers for a small number of pupils. These are Manchester Secondary Pupil Referral Unit and Manchester Hospital School.