Mount St Joseph

Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College Inspection report

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105263 Unique Reference Number Bolton Local Authority 308813 Inspection number 14 °15 November 2007 Inspection dates Patrick Geraghty HMI 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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Secondary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 11 °16 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 909 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Richard Palframan Chair Miss Penelope Walker Headteacher 10 May 2004 Date of previous school inspection Greenland Road School address Farnworth Bolton Lancashire BL4 0HU 01204 391800 Telephone number 01204 389575 Fax number

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11-16 Age group 14 °15 November 2007 Inspection dates 308813 Inspection number .

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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

Mount St Joseph Business and Enterprise College is an 11 to 16 Roman Catholic mixed comprehensive. The percentage of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and with statements of special educational need are well above the national average. The proportion of those eligible for free school meals is above national average. The school serves several areas of significant socio-economic deprivation. About 14% of the school's students are from minority ethnic backgrounds. In 2003 the school achieved specialist status as a Business and Enterprise College.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007

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Grade: 3

This is now a satisfactory and improving school. Between 2005/06, the school entered a period which was to be characterised by low examination pass rates and the less effective application of quality assurance. Effective leadership is now being provided by the headteacher and senior managers in tackling the school's recent pattern of underachievement. There is sound evidence to demonstrate that improvement strategies are having an impact on achievement and standards, which are now satisfactory. An upward improvement trend in pass rates has been sustained in 2006/07. The standards of student work examined by inspectors were at least satisfactory. The school recognises that further improvement is required at both Key Stage 3 and 4 and particularly in science. Students make good progress in their personal development. Students enjoy their lessons and there is generally good behaviour. The school actively promotes healthy lifestyles and the need

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Grade: 3

for regular exercise. Students and parents say that there are few instances of bullying and that, where they do arise, they are dealt with appropriately. Students learn much about their own cultural heritage but opportunities are missed to interact with the rich cultural diversity around them. Teaching is satisfactory and improving. While a number of departments have made significant strides in teaching and learning, improvement has not been consistent across the curriculum. For example, there remain inconsistencies in the quality of written and verbal feedback to students, and more able students are not always adequately challenged. The curriculum is good. The school is actively tackling students' low literacy rates on entry. A wide range of external partnerships and community links enhances a broad and rich curriculum in Year 10 and 11. Care, guidance and support are satisfactory with some good aspects. The pastoral care provided

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Grade: 3

by staff is strong. Academic guidance is less well developed and less consistently applied across the curriculum. Leadership and management are satisfactory and improving. The school has dealt effectively with a number of issues raised at the last inspection and the underachievement in results that occurred in 2005/06. Quality assurance systems and the use of data have been improved. Self-evaluation at the whole school level is accurate. There remain some inconsistencies in self-evaluation and development planning at middle management level. The school's capacity for further improvement is good. A small proportion of schools whose overall effectiveness is judged satisfactory but which have areas of underperformance will receive a monitoring visit by an Ofsted inspector before their next section 5 inspection.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve standards at Key Stage 3 and 4 and particularly in science.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Embed the sharing of good practice in teaching and learning across the curriculum.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Extend the learning and progress of students who are more able.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve the quality of written and verbal feedback to students.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve self-evaluation and development planning at middle management level.

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What the school should do to improve further

A small proportion of the schools whose overall effectiveness is judged satisfactory but which have areas of underperformance will receive a monitoring visit by an Ofsted inspector before their next section 5 inspection. 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007

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Grade: 3

Students enter the school with standards that are broadly in line with the national average. However, this headline statistic masks the low literacy levels of many students. Standards reached by students aged 14 improved between 2004 and 2006 but were still below the national average. The provisional results for 2007 continue the upward trend in the pass rates reached, and the progress made, by students in English and mathematics. In science, standards did not improve and all groups of students made significantly less progress than they should. However, in the science lessons observed and the work scrutinised during the inspection standards were at least satisfactory. There is an improving trend in students' standards and progress at GCSE level. The provisional results for 2007 show that 19% more students achieved five A* to C grades. The percentage of students who achieved five A* to C grades including mathematics and English also increased

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Grade: 3

significantly. This is an improvement compared to pass rates and progress in 2005 and 2006, although standards still remain just below the national average. Students with English as an additional language achieved higher standards than other students. Students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make satisfactory progress. Nevertheless, students without additional targeted support significantly underachieved in terms of five good passes at GCSE. The school's tracking of students' progress indicates it is on course to meet the targets it has set for 2008.

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Grade: 2

Personal development is good. Students mature into well rounded and thoughtful young people as a result of strong personal, social, health and citizenship education. Spiritual, moral and social development is good. Cultural development is satisfactory. Although students learn much about their own cultural heritage, there are not enough opportunities for them to interact with the rich cultural diversity around them. Attitudes to learning are good. Students enjoy the full breadth of the curriculum and activities on offer. The school has initiated improvements to promote positive attitudes towards healthy living, the need for regular exercise and the need to adopt safe practices. Students spoken with said say that bullying is not a significant issue and challenging behaviour is well managed. Students make a strong contribution to the community. Opportunities to develop teamwork skills and to take on responsibilities, through

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Grade: 2

the school council and prefect system, make a good contribution to students' social development and self-confidence. Students are well prepared for the future. For instance, initiatives such as the Year 9 'face to face with finance', in partnership with several businesses, has led to well embedded enterprise skills. Attendance is satisfactory.

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Grade: 3

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory with several good features. Well focused staff development, close work with the local authority and the use of external consultants are developing new approaches to learning. Many teachers have embraced new ideas with enthusiasm and, consequently, teaching is improving. Students enjoy and make the greatest 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007 progress in lessons where they are engaged by a range of teaching and learning activities. These lessons are well prepared with clear objectives set and explained. High quality resources combined with a brisk pace and good planning of group work activities enhance the students' enjoyment, involvement and progress. An increasing number of departments are developing the use of the impressive facilities of the Bolton Technology Innovation Centre to extend and

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Grade: 3

challenge student learning through information and communication technology. Good practice was observed in English, catering, textiles, performing arts and history. In the weaker lessons, the pace is slower and questioning is not extensive enough to involve students. These lessons were too teacher-centred and students were not pushed to achieve the standards of which they are capable. Resources to enhance learning are less well developed. Activities are not always provided to challenge and extend the learning of the more able students. The school's use of assessment information to set targets and monitor student progress has improved and now allows for greater intervention to help those students who are underachieving. However, good practice is not embedded across the curriculum. Teachers sometimes miss the opportunity to re-enforce learning through homework.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good and responsive to student needs. The school is proactive in its approach to managing students' low literacy levels in Year 7 with the provision of an integrated curriculum. This has improved stability for students and allows them to use the literacy skills taught in English across other subjects and in a challenging and supportive environment. In Years 10 and 11 four pathways are offered. Students are guided in their choice of pathway so that their economic well-being and enjoyment of school is enhanced. Good links have been established with a wide range of external providers to promote opportunities in young apprenticeship schemes and vocational qualifications. Students who are at risk of not continuing with education, employment or training are supported through 'Aim Higher', residentials and follow up interviews in school. The school provides a good range of extra-curricular activities

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Grade: 2

which are appreciated by the students. Trips, visits, retreats and other enrichment opportunities make a good contribution to students' enjoyment and enhance positive relationships. The Business and Enterprise Specialist status is embedded throughout the school and promotes the development of self-confidence and enterprise skills.

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Grade: 3

Care, guidance and support are satisfactory overall. Arrangements to ensure child protection, health and safety are in place and regularly reviewed. The pastoral support and guidance is effective. There is positive support for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, vulnerable students and those displaying challenging behaviour. Strong links with outside agencies ensure that all students, including those most at risk, are well supported. The school has worked hard to manage student behaviour, which is good. Students are well motivated by a system of rewards which recognise good personal development and effort in learning. However, academic guidance is less well developed. The tracking and monitoring of students' progress has improved but is not consistently applied across all areas of the school. Opportunities to identify improvement strategies in lessons and through the marking of work are sometimes

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Grade: 3

lost. 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007

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Grade: 3

Leadership and management are satisfactory. The headteacher's professional dedication and firm leadership reflect her clear vision for continuing development and improvement. She and her senior colleagues have led a recovery of standards and achievement since 2006. The more effective monitoring of departments and evaluation of teaching and learning have contributed much to the recent improvements seen in many subject areas. The school recognises, however, that a minority of departments still have some way to go particularly in improving the quality of self-evaluation and development plans. A strong sense of common purpose is evident, although quality assurance processes are not consistently applied across the curriculum. Self-evaluation helps teachers at all levels to identify where priorities and opportunities need to be planned. Judgements are often accurate, but occasionally too generous. Effective

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Grade: 3

monitoring and professional development are correcting some shortfalls in standards and increasingly yielding the required outcomes, so the school clearly demonstrates a good capacity to improve. The headteacher, governors and school managers have worked hard to adapt and innovate. Equality of opportunity has high priority, but a need persists to stretch the most able, whilst ensuring that all youngsters with learning difficulties and/or disabilities achieve to the best of their ability. The school makes productive use of its staff specialisms, its technology suites and the enhanced facilities brought by external contacts. Teachers have established strong links with local agencies, schools and employers, which add to the variety of courses available. The school enjoys the confidence of its students, parents and governors. Students are frequently consulted about developments in the school. The governing body is dynamic and supportive,

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Grade: 3

offering challenge while working in productive harmony with the school managers. In view of its inclusive ethos, the variety of its curriculum and students' satisfactory levels of achievement, the school provides satisfactory value for money. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007 .

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Grade: 3

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007

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Inspection judgements

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

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

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Achievement and standards

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

2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 3 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 How well learners enjoy their education 3 The attendance of learners 2 The behaviour of learners 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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and interests of learners?

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

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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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007

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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 3 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 3 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 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 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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Inspection of Mount St Joseph Business and Enterprise College, Lancashire, BL4 0HU Thank you for welcoming the inspection team into your school recently. We thoroughly enjoyed our two days at your school. We particularly enjoyed talking to so many of you about your work, interests and how much you enjoy and give to the school. Your school is now making satisfactory progress and is an improving school. The school is well led. The headteacher, staff and governors are working hard because they want you to do the very best you can. Most importantly your achievement and examination results are beginning to improve after a year where they had been poor. You enjoy many of your lessons, particularly when you know that you are improving and learning. However, some of you are not reaching the standards that you are capable of. You can play an important part in this by working with your teachers and helping them to improve your work.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

There is some good teaching in the school and in these lessons you respond well to the teachers' high expectations and you make good progress. However, this is not the case across all of the school. In some lessons you are not being given work which really stretches you or encourages you to enjoy learning, achieve well and progress. Your curriculum options are good and serve your abilities and offer you a wider range of opportunities for the future. You enjoy a wide range of extra activities. The teachers and support staff care for you and give you satisfactory guidance. Your school needs to:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ improve pass rates and your progress at Key Stage 3 and 4 and particularly in science

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ improve written and verbal feedback to you so that you know how to improve further

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ share the best practice in teaching across all subjects

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ give you more work that really stretches you so that you achieve well and progress

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ improve the consistency of planning in some departments.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

On behalf of the inspection team, I wish you well for your future education. 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Mount St Joseph: Business and Enterprise College, 14 °15 November 2007

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