Batley Girls’ High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Students achieve exceptionally well in this outstanding academy. They make rapid and sustained progress. Different groups of students including those in receipt of the pupil premium funding achieve equally well.

The sixth form is outstanding. A wide range of courses and excellent teaching promotes outstanding progress in most subjects. Students are exceedingly well prepared for the next stage of their education, employment or training.

The academy promotes students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development outstandingly well. Students have a great deal of respect for each other. The quality of teaching is outsta...nding across most subjects.

Teachers have a thorough knowledge of their students and provide tasks and activities which enable them all to achieve highly. Students' behaviour is exemplary. Their attitudes demonstrate a love of learning.

Students are proud of their academy. The 'well-being' centre ensures that those students who are most vulnerable feel safe and can talk their issues through. Leaders focus relentlessly on improving the quality of teaching.

Only the best is good enough for all students. Staff believe passionately that all students should reach their potential. The governing body works very effectively in partnership with school leaders to plan for the future development of the academy.

This has allowed the academy to improve swiftly.

Information about this school

The school is a larger than average-sized secondary school. A larger proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs are supported through school action than found nationally.

The proportion of students supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of students receiving pupil premium , which is additional funding given for looked after children, students known to be eligible for free school meals and children of service families, is higher than the national average. The large majority of students are from Pakistani and Indian backgrounds with the remainder coming from a variety of other heritages.

The school converted to an academy in September 2011. The academy meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. Currently, the academy does not offer any alternative off-site provision.