Presfield High School and Specialist College

104977 Unique Reference Number Sefton Local Authority 287081 Inspection number 2 °3 October 2006 Inspection dates John Atkinson Reporting inspector

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

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Preston New Road School address Special Type of school Churchtown, Southport Community special School category Merseyside PR9 8PA 11 °19 Age range of pupils 01704 227831 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01704 232306 Fax number 49 Number on roll (school) 8 Number on roll (6th form) Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Gaynor Hirst Headteacher 4 February 2002 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 287081 2 °3 October 2006 11°19 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 one Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

Presfield is a small special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 that has achieved the Sportsmark Award. The majority of pupils have moderate learning difficulties. A small yet significant number have more severe learning difficulties or an element of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. In 2005, a new base for pupils with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and additional provision for students aged 16 to 19 were established. The former long-standing headteacher retired in July 2006 and the new headteacher took up her position in September 2006. Of the 57 pupils on roll, a small minority of pupils do not speak English as their main language or are looked after by the local authority.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006

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Grade: 2

This is a good school that gives good value for money. Pupils enjoy coming to school because learning is fun and they feel safe and secure. The school's calm and positive ethos enables pupils with a range of learning, emotional and communication difficulties to grow in self-belief and independence. A pupil who recently joined the school said, 'you're totally safe and nobody picks on you'. Parents have a very high regard for the school, with one describing the impact on their child 'Their growth in confidence is a delight for everyone, especially the family, to witness'. The school's self-evaluation is accurate overall but too modest in the evaluation of its leadership and management. The senior leadership team (SLT) has been well supported by governors in successfully establishing, over a short timescale, new provision for post-16 students and pupils with ASD. The SLT successfully developed other initiatives

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Grade: 2

through Education Business Partnerships and college links. The outcome is a more relevant and appropriate curriculum for 14 to 19 year olds, including extended work experience that results in pupils being well prepared for their future. The leadership of the ASD base is good and pupils make good progress in their learning and social interaction. They behave and relate well in the base but, as yet, have limited opportunities to contribute to and be involved in other lessons with pupils of their own age. Many of the staff have little experience of pupils with ASD and recognise their need for further training in teaching these pupils. The new headteacher has quickly established a clear picture of the school's position and has a clear vision for extending the inclusion of pupils with ASD. The effective management of finances has made significant funding available to the headteacher to drive the school forward

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Grade: 2

with its new provision and initiatives. Pupils' achievements are good. By the time they leave school they achieve good results in accredited courses in many subjects, with an emphasis on literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills. The more able pupils achieve well at GCSE in mathematics and art. In Years 7, 8 and 9, pupils make good progress in science and mathematics and satisfactory progress in English and ICT. The school sets targets for pupils to reach by the end of Year 9. Targets are not set for the end of Year 7 or Year 8 and the progress of these pupils is insufficiently tracked. This results in the differences in pupils' progress between subjects. Pupils' personal development is good because of the good provision for their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Attendance is satisfactory because a small number of pupils have significant problems with attendance. The school is tackling

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Grade: 2

the issue with determination. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes are exemplary and reflect the good care and support they receive. Their involvement in cultural events, residential visits and sporting activities develops a spirit and willingness to tackle new experiences with enthusiasm. Teaching is good; skilful questioning ensures that pupils are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and successfully develops their communication skills. Teaching assistants are outstanding in the support they give to pupils, enabling them to enjoy and make progress in the different tasks they are given. 2 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006 The school successfully tackled the issues from the last inspection. The headteacher has inherited a committed, hard-working team that relishes the challenges and opportunities arising from the recent developments: this means that the school has a good capacity to improve.

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Grade: 2

The sixth form has only been established for one year but is rapidly developing its provision. It is well managed and provides a curriculum that is relevant and motivational for the students. They build upon their previous learning, following the Oxford and Cambridge RCA (OCR) National Skills Profile and undertaking extended work experiences. Students enjoy and make huge personal progress from these opportunities. They thrive on the independence demanded, and mature into young people who are aware of the options available to them and are ambitious about achieving them. Students are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle by attending a leisure and sports centre on a regular basis. The sixth form is extending students' life skills and working successfully towards bridging the gap between education and the next step in adult life. The small staff team has excellent relationships with students and creates

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Grade: 2

an ethos where there is a high level of mutual respect.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Set targets for pupils in Years 7 and 8 in English, mathematics, science and ICT and carefully track their progress towards these. • Increase the amount of inclusion for pupils with ASD in classes with pupils of a similar age. • Provide further professional development for all teachers in meeting the needs of pupils with ASD.

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Grade for sixth form: 2

Though achievement is good, data show that the progress in English and ICT is not as good as that in mathematics and science. The English teacher has identified a wide range of strategies to address this, including new initiatives to improve reading. In art and mathematics, pupils do very well with 50% of pupils achieving a pass in GCSE. This lays a firm foundation for students in the sixth form who, within a year, have achieved good grades in a wide range of modules in the OCR National Skills Profile. Pupils with ASD achieve well in improving their social interaction and communication skills, resulting in gains in self-esteem and confidence that lead to good progress in English, mathematics and science. The very small number of pupils who do not speak English as their main language make very good progress and receive excellent support. Across the curriculum, for example, in physical education, history, modern foreign

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Grade for sixth form: 2

languages, art and music, pupils make good progress and the overall impact is that 3 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006 pupils are developing a wide range of skills that will significantly assist them in their economic well-being.

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Grade for sixth form: 2

Pupils make good progress in their personal development and are well equipped for the challenges they face when they leave school. Routines are very well established and clear boundaries are defined so pupils know what is expected of them. The effect is that pupils feel secure and safe - 'there is absolutely no bullying here,' said a pupil with ASD - leading to exemplary behaviour and respect for each other. The structured reward system celebrates pupils' successes and is very effective in building and boosting their self-esteem. Pupils are health conscious with healthy eating and drinking options actively encouraged. They participate in the array of sporting activities offered by staff and sporting coaches, with a number of pupils representing the local authority in athletics, football and netball teams. The school council is an active forum that pupils aspire to be elected to. Members are at ease in voicing their opinions because

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Grade for sixth form: 2

their views are listened to and therefore they are prepared to make suggestions to further improve the school.

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Grade for sixth form: 2

Teaching has many strengths that result in good gains in learning. Teachers and teaching assistants work very closely together to ensure that all pupils are given the level of support that enables them to achieve the tasks set. In most cases the work set is appropriate to what each pupil is capable of. Occasionally expectations are not high enough and the work does not fully extend pupils. Teachers are enthusiastic and enjoy very good relationships with pupils, creating a positive ethos where pupils enjoy lessons and concentrate well. Lessons are thoroughly planned and pupils are frequently engaged in active and collaborative tasks that capture their interest and attention. Teachers have high expectations of how pupils should behave and question them skilfully, improving their speaking and listening skills. Teachers are apprehensive about including pupils with ASD because of their challenging behaviour and recognise the

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Grade for sixth form: 2

need for further professional development. 4 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006

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Grade for sixth form: 2

The curriculum and its enrichment are good. There is a good range of opportunities for pupils to participate in. These are influential in motivating pupils and widening their horizons, particularly in gaining an understanding of the world outside of school. The innovations in the 14 to 19 curriculum lead to better opportunities to relate learning to the world of work and result in more mature students with higher aspirations for themselves. Various after-school clubs appeal to the interests of most pupils and motivate them to try new and challenging activities.

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Grade for sixth form: 2

This is a very safe and caring school where pupils feel valued and respected. Parents feel their children are very well looked after and are delighted with their progress academically and personally. Arrangements to safeguard pupils are very thorough and this means that the most vulnerable or at-risk pupils are quickly identified and supported. Arrangements for child protection and to ensure everyone's health, welfare and safety are in place. The guidance that pupils receive from outside partnerships such as Connexions helps them in their personal and academic decisions. The very good guidance that pupils receive from teaching assistants means that pupils do not feel overawed by the challenges they face. Pupils with autism receive very good levels of care and support that enable them to take full advantage of what is on offer in school. The school sets appropriate targets for pupils to reach by the end of Year 9.

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Grade for sixth form: 2

Targets are not set for pupils to reach by the end of Years 7 or 8 and their progress in these year groups is insufficiently tracked. This impacts on the rate of their learning across different subjects.

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Grade for sixth form: 2

The new headteacher has quickly made her mark in the school, securing the confidence and commitment of staff and pupils. She has made an initial assessment of the school's priorities and set out her vision for enhancing the inclusive nature of the school. The SLT, with governor support, has implemented new initiatives within challenging timescales, resulting in a broadening of the provision at the school and a shared commitment to high standards. The leadership and management of the school have been instrumental in sustaining the positive ethos that has been influential in helping pupils to achieve well and, in many cases, discover a belief in themselves that was previously lacking. Governors have played a vital part in securing the smooth transition 5 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006 from the previous headteacher to the new one. The outcome is that the school is united in its commitment to meeting the new challenges it faces and well positioned

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Grade for sixth form: 2

to move forward with enthusiasm and determination. 6 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006 .

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Grade for sixth form: 2

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 7 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006

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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

2 2 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? 2 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 2 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

2 2 How well do learners achieve? 4 4 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

2 2 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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well-being of the learners?

The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The behaviour of learners 3 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 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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range of needs and interests of learners?

2 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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range of needs and interests of learners?

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average to below average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low. 8 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006

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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 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, including staff, are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Yes Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements? No Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? 9 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I really enjoyed the two days that I spent in your school last week. Thank you for making me welcome and sharing your opinions about the school. I was very impressed by the way you helped each other and by the fact that you told me there was no bullying and you all felt safe and happy in school. There are many changes taking place in your school and now that there is a sixth form you will have more choice as to what you do when you are 16. I agree with your views about the good atmosphere in your school. You have many opportunities to take part in interesting and enjoyable activities, including having work experience when you are in Year 10 and after. I think you should be proud that you go to a good school and proud of your own achievements. The reasons you go to a good school are: • staff help you to learn in every subject and make learning fun • you work hard and behave well in lessons • you get excellent help from teachers and teaching assistants.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I have had a long chat with Mrs Hirst and we have agreed that you could do even better if teachers set you targets to reach in every year group and checked that you were making the progress that you are capable of. We also think that all pupils want to spend as much time as possible with other pupils of the same age. The headteacher will help pupils to spend more time in other classes and take part in lessons with different teachers. It is really important that you make the most out of the opportunities school provides for you because then you can achieve well in your exams and choose the right college course to help you in the future. I hope you carry on working hard all year and continue to be as helpful to each other as I saw when I was in school. 10 Inspection Report: Presfield School, 2 °3 October 2006

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