Lever Park School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Senior leaders, governors and trustees share a vision for the school.

They have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. They have worked together successfully to raise standards across the school. Almost all pupils now attend school on time every day.

Any unexplained absence is followed up assiduously by the school. Pupils' behaviour around school is generally calm and orderly. Staff are swift to resolve any emerging issues so that lessons proceed without interruption.

The number of fixed-term exclusions has reduced dramatically. Current pupils make good progress across the school from their different ...starting points. A higher proportion of pupils are achieving their academic targets now.

By the end of Year 11, almost all pupils gain a range of qualifications, including English and mathematics. Leaders have not ensured that the key stage 3 curriculum provides pupils with the essential knowledge which prepares them well for the rigours of key stage 4. Middle leaders do not take enough responsibility for improving the quality of teaching and learning in their subjects.

Safeguarding is effective. Staff vigilance, up-to-date training and robust recording and reporting make sure that pupils are well cared for and safe. Leaders make effective use of additional funding.

The comprehensive enrichment programme enhances the school's curriculum offer. This helps disadvantaged pupils, in particular, to overcome some of their barriers to learning. Staff make good use of the information in pupils' education, health and care (EHC) plans to plan lessons.

Over the past three years, all Year 11 pupils have moved on successfully to education, employment or training. The school's provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is effective. Pupils learn to be tolerant and respectful towards other people.

The quality of teaching across the school has improved since the school opened. Leaders have put in place suitable training and support to help teaching staff do their jobs well. Support staff have played a key role in securing the improvements to pupils' attendance and behaviour.

However, pupils are overly reliant on adults to motivate them to complete the work set and to regulate their behaviour in the classrooms and around school.

Information about this school

Lever Park School has one main site. In addition, a small group of pupils are taught in separate premises.

The school caters for key stage 3 and 4 pupils with SEND. All the pupils have EHC plans. All the pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs.

Currently, most pupils that attend the school are placed by Bolton local authority. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average. A number of pupils are looked after by the local authority.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. The overwhelming majority of pupils are boys. Lever Park School currently uses one alternative provider, Heartlift.

The school opened in May 2016. It is one of the five schools and alternative provisions that form a multi-academy trust. The executive principal of Bolton Impact Trust oversees the five establishments.

The school is governed by a local governing body which reports to the board of trustees. The academy lead was appointed in September 2017. The predecessor school was judged to require improvement at its most recent inspection in March 2016.