The Ofsted ratings for secondary schools across Warrington

The education regulators use a four-point grading scale for inspection judgements:

These are:

Grade 1: outstanding.

Grade 2: good.

Grade 3: requires improvement.

Grade 4: inadequate.

Priestley College – ‘good’

Priestley had its latest inspection from Ofsted back in May, 2019 when it received a rating of good.

The report read: “Leaders and managers ensure that a very high proportion of students achieve their qualifications.

“A large proportion of students achieve a high grade in their subjects on AS and vocational level 3 courses.”

“Students enjoy their studies. Their behaviour is excellent, and they show respect for each other and towards college staff.”

“Students who receive funding for high needs receive a high-quality learning experience. Consequently, students achieve as well as their peers and make excellent progress.”

St Gregory's Catholic High School – ‘good’

This secondary school based in Westbrook received its last visit from Ofsted in November 2019 when it was rated good by inspectors.

Inspectors identified significant improvements from the school since their previous visit in 2017.

The report read: “The school has improved considerably since the last inspection. Leaders and governors have worked together with other schools within the archdiocese to improve the curriculum.

“However, some teachers feel that leaders have not taken their workload into consideration when making changes.”

“Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported in their learning.”

“Across almost all subjects, the curriculum is well planned to provide aspiration for all pupils.”

“Despite this, the curriculum in English lacks the aspiration of other subjects. Some pupils in Years 7 and 8 spend too much time in their English lessons reading their own books instead of working through the English curriculum.

“Also, pupils start the learning for their GCSE examinations in Year 9. This leaves many pupils with gaps in their English learning.”

Beamont Collegiate Academy – ‘good’

Beamont Collegiate based in Orford received its most recent Ofsted visit in July 2022 and was rated good.

The Inspectors report read: “Pupils at Beamont enjoy coming to school. They are happy and friendly. Pupils like the enrichment activities that leaders provide.

“These opportunities are wide-ranging and include choir, chess, and yoga. Pupils particularly enjoy the combined cadet force.”

“Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), rise to leaders’ high expectations. Pupils understand and follow the school’s learning and behaviour values.”

“Since the previous inspection, leaders have continued to develop the curriculum. The curriculum identifies the knowledge that pupils will learn. This knowledge builds in a logical way that helps pupils gain the knowledge that they need to be successful.”

Cardinal Newman Catholic High School – ‘good’

Based in Latchford, Cardinal Newman received a visit from Ofsted in November 2022 which determined the school to be good.

The inspectors report began: “Pupils are proud to be part of this happy and welcoming school. They feel valued by leaders.

“Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and achievement. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), rise well to these expectations.

“Staff foster positive and encouraging relationships with pupils. Pupils feel well supported and cared for by their teachers. This helps pupils to feel safe.”

“Leaders and governors are ambitious for all pupils, including pupils with SEND, and want them to do well. To this end, leaders have thought carefully about the knowledge that they want pupils to learn and when pupils should learn it.”

Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School – ‘good’

Also based in Latchford, Sir Thomas Boteler last received an inspection from the education watchdogs in October 2021 which determined it to be a good school.

The report read: “Pupils are immensely proud of their school. They value the sense of belonging that they feel in this tight-knit community.

“Many pupils told inspectors that they feel part of the ‘Boteler’ family. Pupils were positive about the close relationships that they forge with adults.”

“The school community celebrates diversity. Pupils said that the school is a safe space where they can grow, free to be themselves. They are happy. Teachers do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.”

“Leaders have successfully improved the quality of education for all pupils at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.”

Bridgewater High School – ‘good’

Based in Appleton, Bridgewater had a visit from Ofsted in October, 2022 where it was rated good by inspectors.

The report begins: “Bridgewater High School is a welcoming and friendly school. Leaders and staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and achievement.

“In most subjects, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn well.”

“Pupils are happy at school and enjoy learning. They feel safe and gain a strong appreciation of equality and diversity.

“Pupils value the extensive opportunities that are on offer. For example, there are lots of clubs, including sports, Science and cookery.

“Pupils enjoy participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. They benefit from a range of trips and visits, such as to a residential field centre in North Wales.”

“Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum.”

Woolston Brook School – ‘good’

This secondary school in Padgate was last visited by Ofsted in January 2019 and was given a rating of good.

The report read: “The recently appointed headteacher provides clear vision and drive to build on existing good practice and secure further improvements.

“She is unequivocally focused on ensuring that each pupil makes the best possible progress. The headteacher is ably supported by the deputy headteacher.

“Leaders promote a culture of high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and achievement. Staff across the school endorse these high expectations and reinforce them in all their interactions with pupils.”

“The curriculum is broad and personalised to the needs of pupils.”

“Pupils’ experiences are enhanced with many exciting additions to the curriculum. Visits out of school inspire and deepen learning.”

Penketh High School – ‘good’

Penketh High School were rated a good school by education watchdogs after an inspection in February 2020.

The inspectors said: “The headteacher and trustees promote the highest of ambitions for all pupils. They are determined to provide the best for them.

“The hard work of staff contributes to the good quality of education that pupils receive. Pupils’ learning is strong across the curriculum, and this helps them to do well in their examinations.

“This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Disadvantaged pupils have recently done much better in their GCSE examinations than those in previous years.”

“Parents and carers, pupils, and staff say the headteacher has transformed school leadership. He and many other leaders have been appointed to their roles since September 2017.

“This has made a big difference to pupils’ experience at school. The expectations of pupils are higher. Pupils now benefit from a good quality of education, day in, day out.”

Green Lane Community Special School – ‘outstanding’

This secondary school in Woolston received the highest grading in its last inspection from Ofsted in 2015 which rated it to be an outstanding school.

The inspectors report read: “The headteacher’s leadership is extremely effective. He constantly strives to ensure that all aspects of the curriculum are fully established across all the key stages.

“His sensitive yet steely determination results in as much success as possible for all pupils.”

“All staff are experienced and well trained. The school’s arrangements for continuing professional development are well linked to the performance management of the staff and to pupils’ progress. This, along with exceptionally high levels of care, ensures that progress is outstanding.”

Fox Wood Special School – ‘good’

This school based in Woolston received a visit from Ofsted in October 2021. It was rated a good school.

The inspectors report read: “The pupils at Fox Wood Special School are happy, safe and well cared for. They are supported by highly trained staff.

“Pupils benefit from an effective curriculum that responds well to their complex special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, pupils achieve well.”

“Staff encourage pupils to ‘shine’. They have high expectations of pupils. Staff always expect pupils to attempt new, more demanding things. Pupils enjoy using the ‘Green Mile’ or the ‘Sensory Kingdom’ to improve their strength and well-being”.

“Most pupils at Fox Wood Special School have profound SEND. Leaders provide a curriculum that is carefully tailored to meet these pupils’ individual learning needs.”

King's Leadership Academy Warrington – ‘outstanding’

This academy located in Woolston received the highest rating by Ofsted of outstanding in its most recent visit in July 2019.

The report read: “The headteacher, trustees and other senior leaders share a clear vision, focusing on pupils’ character and academic achievement. Staff implement the vision very effectively, and pupils receive an outstanding education.”

“Leaders are committed to equality. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported very well.”

“Governors and trustees provide leaders with very effective support and challenge. This ensures that the school continues to improve.”

“Pupils benefit from excellent teaching across all subjects and year groups. The staff training programme which leaders provide is carefully planned, well-resourced and fully effective.”

Great Sankey High School – ‘good’

Great Sankey High School last received an inspection in September 2017 when it was rated a good school.

The inspectors report read: “The new executive headteacher and head of school provide vision and direction. They have brought much-needed unity, stability and purpose to the school community.

“Senior leaders and governors are committed to ensuring that pupils receive a first-rate education.”

“Leaders create a respectful, purposeful community which celebrates diversity. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong. Personal development and welfare is a strength of the school.”

Lymm High School - 'good'

Lymm Highschool was rated good in its most recent visit by Ofsted.

The report read: "Pupils at Lymm High School, including students in the sixth form, commit fully to the school’s values.

"Leaders and staff encourage them to enjoy learning, achieve their potential and become socially responsible citizens.

"Pupils and students are exceptionally polite and respectful towards each other, members of staff and visitors to the school.

"Leaders have very high expectations of what pupils and students can achieve.

"All pupils and students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enjoy an ambitious and aspirational curriculum."

To read any of the reports in full visit the website gov.uk/find-ofsted-inspection-report