Crosby High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The school's work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding.

Staff are very vigilant and the systems for ensuring safety are very strong. From low starting points when they arrive, students learn a lot at school and are well equipped for what life has in store for them when they leave. Those who are less able benefit from work that is geared toward life skills.

The quality of teaching is typically good. Some of it is even better than this. The effectiveness of teaching assistants is good because they work in harmony with teachers.

Students conduct themselves very well in lessons and around the school. Most students show an... eagerness to learn. Senior leaders are doing a good job.

The school is a positive learning environment. Staff are upbeat and pulling together. Expectations are high.

The headteacher has been keen to ensure the school meets the changing needs and abilities of students. The curriculum is reviewed regularly to make sure it is entirely suitable for different groups of students. A good illustration is the Life Enrichment Activity Programme (LEAP) for less able Key Stage 4 students.

Changes made to the way governors work have been very helpful. The specific links governors have with senior leaders have enabled them to ask pertinent questions. They have good view of the school and are playing their part in checking on its work.

They are very watchful on safeguarding matters. It is not yet an outstanding school because : A very small amount of teaching requires improvement. Planned learning outcomes are not precise enough to enable teachers and students to know exactly what should be achieved in lessons.

The written feedback given to students is not always followed up thoroughly by teachers and students. Some middle leaders are not monitoring their departments with enough rigour to check on the quality of their colleagues' work.

Information about this school

Crosby High has traditionally provided for students with moderate learning difficulties.

In recent years the population has changed and it now increasingly is providing for students with more complex needs. All students have a statement of special educational needs. The vast majority of students are White British and all speak English as their main language.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is almost twice 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. The school became a Co-operative Foundation Learning Trust in September 2010.

It remains a part of Sefton local authority but benefits from the expertise of members of the Trust, which include John Moores University, the Cooperative Society, Everton Football Club and Hugh Baird College of Further Education. There has been a change of headteacher since the last inspection. The school uses Oakmere Independent College to provide vocational courses in construction and hair and beauty for a small number of students one day a week.