Paget High School

124392 Unique Reference Number Staffordshire LEA 281711 Inspection number 12 October 2005 to 13 October 2005 Inspection dates Gwendoline Coates HMI Reporting inspector

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This inspection was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Burton Road School address Comprehensive Type of school Branston Community School category Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 3DR 11 to 18 Age range of pupils

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01283 239000 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01283 239014 Fax number 946 Number on roll Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Don Smith Headteacher 8 November 1999 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 281711 12 October 2005 - 11 to 18 13 October 2005 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two of Her Majesty’s Inspectors and two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

Paget High School is an increasingly popular 11 – 18 comprehensive school. It has 1000 pupils, of whom about 140 are in the sixth form. One third of pupils in the main school and one half of students in the sixth form are from minority ethnic backgrounds, the majority being of Pakistani heritage. A significant minority of these need support in developing their English language skills. The number of pupils with special educational needs is high. A large proportion of pupils come from areas experiencing economic hardship.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Paget High School, 12 October 2005 to 13 October 2005

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Grade: 3

Inspection confirms the school’s view that the overall effectiveness of its provision is satisfactory. Senior management correctly see their school as an improving school, with some good features. Standards of attainment are below average on entry to the school, but from this starting point, pupils make satisfactory progress demonstrating that the school adds value. The high quality of care and support that the school provides for its pupils is reflected in their very positive attitudes. Pupils, whatever their background, feel safe and enjoy school. Parents and carers feel confident that their children are well cared for and the school’s growing reputation is making it increasingly popular among parents of children in local primary schools. Pupils are well behaved, respect each other and their teachers and are helpful and polite to visitors. The school is effectively led by the headteacher and provides satisfactory value for

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Grade: 3

money. It has good features but there remain areas of weakness in relation to the management of subjects, quality assurance issues in the sixth form and curriculum provision. Actions to address points raised in the last inspection have been implemented satisfactorily although teaching and learning in science is still of concern. Senior managers understand what needs to be done to move the school forward, including more rigorous monitoring of middle managers to ensure that they all contribute fully to the school’s improvement. Grade: 3

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Grade: 3

Inspection confirms the school’s view that the effectiveness and efficiency of the sixth form is satisfactory. Students’ attainments in 2004 were below national averages but the school’s examination results for 2005 indicate improvements. Most students reach a higher standard than predicted from their GCSE results. Year 11 pupils receive comprehensive information and guidance on sixth form provision. The curriculum range is narrow but new vocational provision is planned for 2006. Staff development concentrates on improving teaching and learning but there is insufficient analysis of how effective this is. Parents are well informed of students’ progress. Students’ targets, agreed with their teachers, are frequently monitored. Teachers support students effectively. Grade: 3

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What the school should do to improve further

• improve leadership and management in science and in design and technology, and improve the quality of teaching in these subjects so that pupils make faster progress • continue to improve quality assurance procedures in the sixth form • develop the sixth form curriculum provision so that it meets the needs of learners. 2 Inspection Report: Paget High School, 12 October 2005 to 13 October 2005

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Grade: 3

Overall standards attained by pupils in 2004 are below national averages. However, progress made by most pupils is at least satisfactory and in certain cases good. When pupils enter the school in Year 7 their standards are below average. By Year 9, pupils’ attainments are still below those of pupils in other schools. However, pupils make satisfactory progress between Years 7 and 9. Girls and pupils of Pakistani heritage make good progress. At the end of Year 11 in 2004, pupils’ attainments were still below average. However, although still below average in 2005, the school’s examination results indicate higher attainments in most areas, except science. Between Years 9 and 11, pupils make satisfactory progress. Girls and pupils of Pakistani heritage make good progress. A high proportion of pupils gain five or more graded GCSE results and all pupils gain at least one GCSE. Pupils do well in GCSE art and design.

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Grade: 3

In the sixth form the overall standards reached by students in 2004 were below average. Few students achieved the higher examination grades. However, the school’s examination results for 2005 indicate improved attainments in most areas. The progress most students make is better than expected based on prior attainments. Girls achieve better results than boys. A high proportion of the higher grades are achieved in the vocational certificates of education. Grade: 3

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Grade: 2

The pupils’ and sixth form students’ personal development is good. They feel the school is a friendly and supportive environment. They enjoy learning, particularly when actively involved in lessons. Relationships between pupils, students and staff, boys and girls, and the various minority ethnic groups are good. Behaviour is good in lessons and around school. The incidence of exclusions is below average. Attendance is above the average. A few pupils underachieve in examinations because of long absences from school. Pupils’ moral and social development is good and is promoted strongly in lessons, assemblies and by form tutors and heads of year. Pupils’ cultural and spiritual awareness develop satisfactorily, with art making a strong contribution. Pupils respond positively to opportunities for reflection and contemplation in some lessons and in assemblies. Sixth form students are mature and sensible, and are involved well in a range of school

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Grade: 2

activities. Pupils of all ages are well informed about how to stay safe and healthy. They are confident that staff will help them with any difficulties, and those receiving additional support are appreciative of it. They are confident in interacting with adults and respond well when given responsibility as members of the school council and as sixth form prefects. Their awareness of contributing to the community is good, and they are well prepared for future study and employment. 3 Inspection Report: Paget High School, 12 October 2005 to 13 October 2005 Grade: 2

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Grade: 3

Teaching and learning are satisfactory overall. As identified by the school, there are real strengths in many lessons leading to pupils progressing well. Teachers plan lessons thoughtfully so that pupils learn well. Teachers and classroom assistants have a good understanding of the challenges facing pupils for whom English is an additional language, and of the learning difficulties of lower attaining pupils. Mostly, teachers know the progress pupils are making and the progress they are capable of, and most use this information to plan lessons. Teachers’ knowledge of GCSE marking is good and they prepare pupils well to deal with examination requirements. The school checks on the quality of teaching regularly and is able to identify strengths and is aware of areas of weakness. It has recognised that some science lessons are poorly planned and is working hard to overcome this. Staff absence has interrupted how well pupils learn

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Grade: 3

in some design and technology lessons, where the pace of learning is slow and teaching does not always stretch all pupils enough. In the sixth form teaching is satisfactory. On occasion it is outstanding. For example, in a Year 12 health and social care lesson teaching materials were excellent, challenging students and making learning exciting for them. Grade: 3

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory overall and good in most subjects. In design and technology, up-to-date processes are not regularly used and in science some pupils experience only biology. The school has a good programme for personal, social and health education and citizenship and this contributes well to pupils developing into considerate, responsible adults. There is a satisfactory range of academic and work-related courses for pupils, but there is no drama. Literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology skills are integral parts of all subjects and contribute to pupils developing basic skills for adult life. A satisfactory and improving range of activities for gifted and talented pupils is provided. The range of activities provided out of school time is limited, and the take-up is low and not as good as the school would like. There is a good range of sports activities but pupils do not have

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Grade: 3

opportunities for music or drama activities. Grade: 3

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Grade: 2

The school is very caring and supportive of its pupils and sixth form students. Form tutors and heads of year play a central role in this. Staff are very responsive to pupils with academic or personal difficulties and make good provision for pupils with learning 4 Inspection Report: Paget High School, 12 October 2005 to 13 October 2005 difficulties and disabilities, and those who are learning to speak English. Guidance on GCSE and sixth form courses is good. Rules for pupils’ behaviour are clear, and staff are good at dealing with occasional instances of inappropriate behaviour. Arrangements for the care and protection and health and safety of all pupils are good and the school has taken a strong lead in promoting healthy eating. Staff are normally quick to check on absent pupils, and encourage regular attendance by a rewards system. Academic support and target setting are satisfactory, with good support for pupils in Year 11

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Grade: 2

and for pupils whose progress causes concern. Grade: 2

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Grade: 3

The headteacher and senior managers lead and manage the school well, placing a strong emphasis on inclusion, equality of opportunity and achievement. They set clear aims and have implemented effective systems to encourage pupils’ progress, particularly in Years 7 to 9, and to provide good care and support for pupils, ensuring that every child matters. Monitoring systems provide accurate assessment of the quality of teaching. Quality assurance procedures in the sixth form are still developing and although the focus of staff development is on improving teaching and learning, there is insufficient analysis of how effective this is. Pastoral management and the management of some subjects are good. However, differences in performance between subjects and in the implementation of school policies and practices indicate weaknesses in leading and managing design and technology and science, the latter subject being

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Grade: 3

a concern at the last inspection. Senior managers understand what needs to be done to improve the school, including more rigorous monitoring of middle managers to ensure that all contribute fully to this improvement. Value for money is satisfactory and the school operates within its budget. The school has sufficient accommodation and resources. Its accommodation and pupil areas are welcoming and arrangements ensure that pupils feel safe and well looked after. The school has good links with outside agencies, which enhance support for pupils’ personal development and economic well-being. Governors provide strong support for the school. They are acutely aware of its strengths and weaknesses and are active in their support of the headteacher in his quest to improve pupils’ achievement. The quality of self evaluation is developing and the school is introducing new processes and additional staffing to facilitate this.

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Grade: 3

Grade: 3 5 Inspection Report: Paget High School, 12 October 2005 to 13 October 2005 .

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Grade: 3

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Paget High School, 12 October 2005 to 13 October 2005

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Inspection judgements

16-19 School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

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Overall effectiveness

3 3 How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision of education, integrated care and any extended services in meeting the needs of learners? 2 2 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA NA The quality and standards in foundation stage 3 3 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation Yes Yes The capacity to make any necessary improvements Yes Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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Achievement and standards

3 3 How well do learners achieve? 3 3 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

3 3 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 3 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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Personal development and well-being

2 2 How good is the overall personal development and well-being of the learners? 2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The behaviour of learners 2 The attendance of learners 2 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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The quality of provision

3 3 How effective are teaching and learning in meeting the full range of the learners' needs? 3 3 How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? 2 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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The quality of provision

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low.

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Leadership and management

3 3 How effective are leadership and management in raising achievement and supporting all learners? How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets, through quality assurance and self-review How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can How effectively and efficiently resources are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Yes The adequacy and suitability of staff to ensure that learners are protected

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Leadership and management

The extent to which schools enable learners to be healthy Yes Learners are encouraged and enabled to eat and drink healthily Yes Learners are encouraged and enabled to take regular exercise Yes Learners are discouraged from smoking and substance abuse Yes Learners are educated about sexual health The extent to which providers ensure that learners stay safe Yes Procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements Yes Risk assessment procedures and related staff training are in place Yes Action is taken to reduce anti-social behaviour, such as bullying and racism Yes Learners are taught about key risks and how to deal with them The extent to which learners make a positive contribution Yes Learners are helped to develop stable, positive relationships Yes Learners, individually and collectively, participate in making decisions that affect them Yes Learners are encouraged to initiate, participate in and manage activities in school and the

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Leadership and management

wider community The extent to which schools enable learners to achieve economic well-being Yes There is provision to promote learners’ basic skills Yes Learners have opportunities to develop enterprise skills and work in teams Yes Careers education and guidance is provided to all learners in key stage 3 and 4 and the sixth form Yes Education for all learners aged 14–19 provides an understanding of employment and the economy

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Paget High School Burton Road Branston Burton-on-Trent DE14 3DR 14 October 2005 Dear Pupils and Students, Thank you very much for the polite and warm welcome you gave the inspectors during the recent inspection. This letter tells you about how we judged your school. Your school has many strengths. The headteacher and his team manage the school effectively and most of the subject departments are well managed so that all of you are provided with a satisfactory education. The teaching you receive is satisfactory and you enjoy learning when lessons actively involve and challenge you. You all make at least satisfactory progress and in Year 11, all pupils gain at least one GCSE and a high proportion gain five or more. Students in the sixth form achieve higher standards than might be predicted from their GCSE results. You are provided with good care and support and staff work hard to ensure that you all have

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

equal opportunities and that all of you matter. In meetings with inspectors, pupils and students spoke very positively about the good relationships they have with teachers and how friendly the school is. Your behaviour in class and around the school is good. The school provides you with a range of healthy eating options and a secure environment that makes you feel safe and well looked after. All of these things improve the reputation of the school and as a result, it is becoming more popular with parents when choosing a secondary school for their children. As well as these strengths, there are weaknesses. The management and teaching in some subject areas needs to improve so that you learn better, make faster progress and achieve higher standards. Although the school provides a range of out of school activities, the number of you involved is rather low and there are no drama or music activities. This means that you are missing

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

out on learning from a rich variety of activities rather than just the subjects you study. The range of courses offered in the sixth form is quite narrow in terms of meeting your particular needs and some aspects of management could be improved so that teachers understand more fully what the impact of any changes is on your performance. The headteacher and his senior management team are aware of all of these weaknesses and know what needs to be done to ensure improvements are made. Yours sincerely, Gwen Coates HMI

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