Broughton High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school are provided with an exceptional education. Pupils told inspectors that they love coming to Broughton High School. They described it as being part of a happy and safe family.

Pupils are kind and care about others. They know about and value each other's differences. Pupils make friends easily here.

Staff resolve any bullying incidents quickly and effectively.

Clear and high ambitions are set for pupils, grounded in the school's motto 'achieving together.' These ambitions are fully realised.

Pupils thrive academically, socially and emotionally. All pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, and pupils with special educational ...needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve extremely well.

Pupils enjoy each other's company at social times.

They smile and laugh a lot. Pupils are fully focused on learning in class. Their behaviour is exemplary.

Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, benefit immensely from the vast extent and high quality of the extra-curricular experiences that leaders provide for them. There is something for everyone to join in and enjoy. The impressive selection of activities includes an international film club, and chess club as well as a spectacular range of sporting and music opportunities.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Senior leaders and governors ensure pupils study a wide range of subjects that meet their needs, interests and set them up extremely well for their future lives.

Leaders' design of subject curriculums is consistently excellent. Much thought is given to the rich and ambitious subject knowledge that pupils should learn.

Leaders are clear about how and when pupils should learn this knowledge. Teachers use their subject expertise to implement the subject curriculums extremely well. Pupils get to build securely on what they already know, and also to bring together the rich knowledge that they have gained previously to tackle complex ideas and questions.

Teachers make sure that no pupils are left behind or fail to achieve all that they should. Teachers quickly spot when pupils do not grasp essential knowledge first time around. They take careful and effective action to cement pupils' understanding before new learning is introduced.

As a result, pupils learn a rich body of knowledge that they remember over time. This leads to their excellent achievement.

Leaders and teachers identify and support pupils with SEND especially well.

Teachers use the high-quality information that they are provided with to help them support pupils with SEND. This means that these pupils are able to follow the same ambitious curriculums as other pupils. Accordingly, these pupils achieve very well indeed.

Many pupils become expert readers at this school. Pupils are provided with the opportunities that they need to satisfy their thirst for reading. Pupils get to read academic texts and journals throughout the day in their subject classes.

Pupils also take opportunities to read regularly at other times, including in the school library. Pupils especially enjoy reading fiction books at these times.

Leaders quickly identify any pupils who find reading difficult.

They provide effective reading support for these pupils. Pupils become confident and fluent readers, who can learn very successfully across the curriculum.

Pupils benefit from an exceptional personal development programme.

They gain the knowledge that they need to understand, participate and succeed in modern Britain. The 'Best of Broughton' award brings together activities that grow pupils' character, confidence and personal identity throughout their time at the school. Pupils of all ages flourish in the roles of responsibility and leadership that they are offered.

Leaders monitor pupils' take-up in these roles, to help make sure that they all get the opportunity to enjoy this much valued aspect of school life. Pupils receive a high-quality independent careers advice and guidance programme. This prepares them extremely well for their next steps in education, employment or training.

Pupils' thirst for knowledge means that they are firmly focused on their learning. Their excellent behaviour and attitudes to study helps them to learn and remember more.

Governors make an exceptional contribution to the school's success.

They understand their responsibilities and they carry out their role to the highest standard. Governors' strategic leadership, coupled with their effective approach to holding leaders to account, ensures that their high ambition for pupils is met.

Staff feel valued.

They appreciate leaders' work to support their well-being and ensure that they have a reasonable workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders keep staff up to date with information about the dangers that pupils may face.

Therefore, staff are quick to spot the signs that pupils may be at risk of harm. They report any concerns in a timely way. These concerns are acted upon promptly.

Leaders ensure that pupils and their families swiftly get the help that they need.

Pupils learn about risks to their safety, and how to spot and avoid them. They seek help when they need it.