Childwall Abbey School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

The headteacher has brought to leadership and management consummate expertise, determination and relentless effort in moving the school to good. Leaders, managers and governors are responsible for a series of well-planned and sharply focused actions since the last inspection which have driven good improvement in teaching, behaviour and students' achievement. This has raised expectations and morale to a high level throughout the school.

Effective teaching over time secures good learning and progress across the school. Teachers and their assistants team up well to support and encourage learning. They set high expectations which improve lea...rning, progress and behaviour.

Students, including disadvantaged students, are supported effectively in tackling well-planned and challenging work. As a result, they make good progress and achieve well. The behaviour of students is good.

The management of challenging and disruptive behaviour is extremely effective, leading to students conducting themselves well in lessons and around the school. Students feel safe, attendance has improved and the number of temporary exclusions has fallen. Sixth form provision is good.

Its success, as a result of good leadership and management, has seen it blossom. The sixth form programme offers a good breadth of relevant work and activities geared effectively to preparing students for further education, employment and adulthood. Students who have part of their education in alternative provision make good progress in a variety of courses well matched to their interests, strengths and preparation for the future.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : There are too few opportunities in all key stages for students to practise and improve their writing outside of English lessons. The gaps in some students' mathematical skills are not being closed early enough, preventing them from tackling harder problems later on. Leaders are not rigorous when checking on teaching and students' progress for weaknesses in the provision for writing and mathematics.

Information about this school

Aigburth High School is a special school providing education for students with moderate and severe learning difficulties. Many students have an autistic spectrum condition and other additional needs such as communication difficulties, sensory impairments and medical conditions. A large majority of students have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

All of the students have a statement of special educational needs. The large majority of students are in Key Stages 3 and 4. There are 11 pupils in Year 6 and 25 students in the sixth form.

Students are admitted to the school at any point in their education and at different times during the school year. The proportion of disadvantaged students supported through the pupil premium is well above average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those students who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority.

A classroom is set aside and staffed for students who need help with their behaviour. The additional resource centre offers short periods of time out of lessons during the school day. The three alternative providers used by the school are: the Fairbridge Programme, a Prince's Trust Centre, providing short courses for life skills, and preparation for leaving school; Myerscough College which offers land-based courses; and, occasionally, Alder Hey Hospital School when students with a medical condition are being treated.

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