Helsby High School

111440 Unique Reference Number Cheshire Local Authority 325383 Inspection number 15 October 2008 Inspection date Paul Chambers 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 Community School category 11–18 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 1403 School (total) 278 Sixth form The governing body Appropriate authority Mr T Payton Chair Mr R Evans Headteacher 9 March 2006 Date of previous school inspection Chester Road School address Helsby Frodsham Cheshire WA6 0HY 01928 723551 Telephone number 01928 723093 Fax number

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11–18 Age group 15 October 2008 Inspection date 325383 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. 2 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one of Her Majesty's Inspectors and one Additional Inspector. The inspectors evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: students' achievement; students' personal development; the effectiveness of academic guidance and the impact of the school's specialist status. Evidence was gathered from lesson observations, assessment data, school documentation, observation of the school at work, discussions with staff and students and the parents' questionnaires. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but there is no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its self-evaluation, were not justified and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

Helsby High School is a large school that serves the villages of Helsby and Frodsham and the surrounding districts of north-west Cheshire. The school has plans to integrate a large number of additional students when a neighbouring school closes in September 2009. The surrounding area has relatively low levels of social disadvantage and the proportion of students who are entitled to free school meals is below average. Over 97% of the students are White British in origin. The proportion of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is very low, as is the proportion with a statement of special educational need. The school is designated as a High Performing Specialist School with a specialism in science and is a Leading Edge school; it holds the Inclusion Charter Mark and the Healthy School award.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008

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Grade: 2

Helsby High School is a good school with several outstanding features. It is an improving school where students achieve well. Standards are well above average and are rising. Students enter the school with attainment that is above expectations for their age. In 2007, the school's results in national tests at the end of Year 9 and in GCSE examinations were well above national figures. The proportion of students gaining five or more GCSE grades A* to C, including English and mathematics was 76%, compared with a national average of 46%. Provisional results for 2008, and evidence presented by the school during the inspection, suggest that high standards are being at least maintained. The school meets its challenging targets. Students, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, achieve well overall. During Key Stages 3 and 4 they make outstanding gains in their learning and considerably larger gains than similar students

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Grade: 2

in other schools nationally. In the sixth form, students' achievement is satisfactory. The school's specialist status has a strong and increasing influence on standards, the curriculum and the local community. Cross-curricular 'themed' weeks, focusing, for example, on science and technology, enterprise or healthy living have contributed to students' excellent economic awareness. The specialist subjects play a leading role in the school's excellent provision for the most able, including opportunities to study three sciences and AS level mathematics modules in Year 11 and involvement in regional and national competitions. Designation as a Leading Edge school in April 2008 has resulted in more teachers contributing to staff development. Well-chosen initiatives include strengthening partnerships with other providers and developing teaching and learning within the school. The headteacher and the senior leadership team lead the school very well and have successfully

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Grade: 2

created a shared sense of purpose among staff. A large number of teachers have taken on additional responsibilities, with the effect that leadership skills are developed effectively at many levels. The school is a truly inclusive community; all staff value the needs of individual students and promote equal opportunities very successfully. Parents strongly support the school and its inclusive nature; the overwhelming majority also say that their children enjoy their education and that behaviour in school is good. One typically positive comment was: 'Both my children enjoy Helsby High School for different reasons, which shows that the school caters for individual children and provides them with an enjoyable and high-standard education'. Overall, leaders evaluate the school's provision effectively and their plans for further development are well focused. Governors are very knowledgeable about the school and provide

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Grade: 2

good support and challenge. There has been good improvement since the last inspection; the strengths that were identified have been built upon and the school demonstrates good capacity to improve further. The quality of teaching is good and sometimes outstanding. Teachers' strong subject knowledge and good planning lead to lessons where students participate readily and work well with their fellow students. This takes place within an overall, outstanding curriculum. Strengths in provision are particularly evident in Key Stage 4, where students benefit considerably from a broad range of academic and vocational opportunities. These include Applied GCSEs in science, health and social care and a Young Apprenticeship programme in hospitality and catering. There is an effective programme in Key Stage 3, to promote students' ability to be independent learners, and to enable them to develop their thinking skills. In Year 7, the Cognitive Acceleration in

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Grade: 2

Mathematics Education (CAME) programme has improved students' motivation and involvement in solving problems, although it is too soon to evaluate its impact on their achievement. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008 The care, guidance and support given to students are good overall. All the required safeguarding procedures are in place. The school caters extremely well for the needs of the most vulnerable students and works effectively with outside agencies to engage students who are at risk of disaffection. Academic guidance is satisfactory. The systems that are in place to monitor progress and support potential underachievers make a clear contribution to students' achievement. However, some students are unclear about the level at which they are currently working and their expected end-of-year level. Students' personal development is excellent. This is a result of the good pastoral care and

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Grade: 2

support that they receive and the good management in the school. Students' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is outstanding. Their cultural understanding is enhanced through links with schools in Grenoble and trips to places of religious worship. Students enjoy what the school has to offer and demonstrate this through their excellent attendance and their eagerness to participate in the many and varied extra-curricular activities that are available. For example, large numbers of students participate in sports clubs and musical activities, such as the highly regarded school band. The students' high level of concern for others is exemplified by the involvement of 120 Year 11 students in 'community challenge' projects, such as organising a community party. The students' outstanding behaviour is the result of the teachers' high expectations and excellent management skills. The school's leading role in the project for

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Grade: 2

developing the social and emotional aspects of learning has helped students to become more self-aware and to manage their feelings and emotions more effectively.

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Grade: 3

Standards in the sixth form are above average. Able students attain very high standards, but on average, standards are lower than in the main school. This is because of an open-access policy which encourages students of a range of abilities, not just the most able, to continue their studies. Retention rates are good and students make satisfactory progress. Improved procedures are now in place for identifying underachievement and supporting students in their study. These are beginning to have an impact on raising standards, but their effect is yet to be fully realised. Many students develop good independent learning skills. Leadership is satisfactory and is starting to have a positive impact on guidance and standards. For example, the provisional examination results for 2008 show an improvement on 2007. Students' personal development is outstanding; they enjoy their time in the sixth form and make an excellent contribution to

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Grade: 3

the life of the school, such as helping younger students through the peer support group or acting as prefects.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve students' achievement in the sixth form.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure that students are clear about at which level they are working and what they are expected to achieve. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008 .

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What the school should do to improve further

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008

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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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meeting the needs of learners?

Yes Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection 2 2 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well being? 3 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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Achievement and standards

3 2 How well do learners achieve? 2 1 The standards 1 reached by learners 3 2 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners How well learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make progress

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Achievement and standards

1 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. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008

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well-being of the learners?

The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 The extent to which learners enjoy their education 1 The attendance of learners 1 The behaviour of learners 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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full range of learners' needs?

2 1 How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? 3 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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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 leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 3 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination eliminated 1 How well does the school contribute to community cohesion? 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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Inspection of Helsby High School, Frodsham, WA6 0HY As you are aware, your school was recently inspected; I am writing to you to let you know our findings. I would like to thank you for your welcome and help during the inspection. You will be pleased to learn that we agree with your headteacher, governors and staff: Helsby High School is a good and an improving school. You make good progress in your learning because of the good teaching that you receive. You benefit from opportunities to study an outstanding range of different subjects. What the school offers suits your needs extremely well. The vast majority of you clearly enjoy school and demonstrate this through your excellent attendance and eagerness to take an active part in lessons. But Helsby High School is about more than just the lessons and a large number of you also take part in extra-curricular activities. For example, my colleague and I were impressed

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

that so many of you participate in sports clubs and musical activities, such as the highly regarded school band. You deserve credit for your excellent behaviour; well done! Your school is led well. In order to make your school even better, I have asked the headteacher, governors and staff to ensure that:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ those of you in the sixth form achieve better

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ you know the level at which you are working and the level you are aiming for.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

You can play your part in school improvements through maintaining your excellent attendance and taking full advantage of all the support that is on offer. I wish you all the best. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Helsby High School, 15 October 2008

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