Cockermouth School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school. It is not yet outstanding because teaching and achievement are good rather than outstanding.

Leaders have been successful in making improvements in previously weaker subjects, for example, in English. The school is aware that, although improving, some inconsistency in achievement between a few subjects remains. Attainment is above average for students aged 16.

Achievement in the English Baccalaureate is much better than the national average. More-able students achieve well. Disabled students and those with special educational needs, including those supported by the resourced provision, make good progress.

Well-targeted additional support for students at risk of ...underachieving is helping to accelerate students' progress. Teaching is good with some that is outstanding. Relationships between staff and students are positive and supportive.

Teachers have good subject knowledge. In most lessons, the pace of learning is rapid. Students work independently and take an active part in learning.

Where teaching is satisfactory, the pace of learning is slower, students are passive learners, marking is not helpful enough, expectations of presentation are too low and tasks do not always match students' needs. Students' behaviour is typically good. Most are committed to learning and work well collaboratively.

Attendance is high. Students know how to keep themselves safe. They are aware of different types of bullying and say that, on the rare occasions it occurs, staff help to resolve issues quickly.

Leaders and managers are successful in raising achievement and improving teaching. Students' and staff performance are monitored rigorously. Some inconsistencies between subjects remain because the implementation and monitoring of key policies are not always robust enough.

The sixth form is good. Attainment is above average. Students are taught well and make good progress.

Improvements in teaching and progress are being managed well. Students are very well prepared for higher education. Sixth form students are good role models to younger students.

Information about the school

The school is much larger than the average sized secondary school. The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals is below the national average. Most students are of White British heritage and a very small number speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled students and those supported at school action is well below the national average; the proportion with a statement of special educational needs or supported by school action plus is below the national average. The school meets the current floor standards which are the minimum standards for students' progress and attainment expected by the government. The school has specialist status for mathematics, computing and modern foreign languages.

There is local authority resourced provision for up to 30 students on the autistic spectrum. A new headteacher was appointed in January 2010. The school has gained the following status and/or awards: High Performing Specialist School, Eco Ambassador and Green Flag.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms