Brigshaw High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Students achieve well in nearly all subjects. Their achievement in English is outstanding.

Attainment is above average and is much higher than at the time of the last inspection. The school's accurate tracking data show that the current Year 11 students are set to make even better progress given their starting points. As a result of the good and sometimes outstanding teaching they receive, students make good progress from their below- average starting points throughout their time at school.

Students who are disabled or who have special educational needs achieve well also. Students' behaviour and attitudes to learning in lessons and aroun...d school are good overall. They are extremely proud of their school and say they feel safe and well cared for.

Relationships with teachers are extremely strong, with one student commenting, 'Teachers work really hard for us so we can do our best.' Leaders and managers at all levels, including the governing body, keep a keen eye on how well the school is doing. The headteacher and her effective leadership team give a clear steer to the staff.

The leadership of teaching and learning is very effective. Consequently, this is an improving school. The sixth form is good.

As a result of good leadership and management and better teaching, students' achievement has improved significantly since the last inspection. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough teaching is outstanding. Teachers do not always provide more-able students with work that challenges them.

Consequently, some higher-attaining students, particularly in mathematics and science, do not achieve is well as they could. In a small minority of lessons students' behaviour is not always as good as it could be. Strategies to manage behaviour are not applied consistently by all teachers.

Information about this school

The school is bigger than the average sized 11 to 18 secondary school. The proportion of students supported through school action is above average. The proportions that are supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs are broadly average.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium is broadly in line with the national average. (The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children that are looked after by the local authority). The school has specialist facilities for students with physical and learning difficulties.

The school is part of the Brigshaw Trust, which consists of a partnership with seven local primary schools. The school works in partnership with Temple Moor High School to offer a broader range of subjects in the sixth form. The school meets the current government floor standards that set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress.