Moorbrook School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This is a good school. School leaders and governors are highly ambitious.

They have succeeded in changing the school's culture so that the required improvements can take place. Leaders have high expectations of staff and pupils. Their collective actions are improving the school rapidly.

Leaders know the school well and have selected the right priorities for improvement. Governors are highly effective. Their combined knowledge and expertise have had a positive impact on the school.

They have supported leaders as well as holding them to account, leading to better provision and outcomes for pupils. The overwhelming majority of staff..., pupils, parents and carers say that they have confidence that school leaders will build on the improvements made. Leaders have improved the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, but recognise that there is more to do to make this an outstanding school.

For example, teaching assistants give some pupils too much support as they complete their work. As a result, these pupils do not reach their full potential as learners. Pupils benefit from well-balanced and personalised education.

Carefully selected alternative educational placements successfully complement pupils' learning and progress in school-based subjects. Good relationships between adults and pupils enable pupils to grow in self-esteem, confidence and their ability to interact with others. Pupils achieve well in school.

They make good progress from their starting points and, in most areas, they are well prepared for the next stage of their education, employment or training. However, some pupils do not receive the level of independent careers advice that they are entitled to. Most pupils behave well and rates of fixed-term exclusions have fallen dramatically since the last inspection.

Despite the school's best efforts, pupils' attendance rates have improved at a slower rate. The school provides a secure setting where pupils feel safe. Arrangements for safeguarding and pupils' welfare are effective.

Information about this school

Moorbrook School is smaller than most secondary schools. It is for pupils aged 11 to 16 who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. At the time of the inspection, there were 35 boys attending.

Pupils are diagnosed with a range of disorders and many receive support from child and adolescent mental health services, following assessments by a number of outside agencies. The school uses seven alternative providers. These providers are the Preston Vocational Centre, Cast North West (Wigan), 4Techmoto (Preston), Fixit (Wigan), Eqwise (Chorley), Hawthorn Education and Regent Park Studios.

The school currently receives formal support from the local authority advisory team. It has been identified as a school 'requiring additional support', with progress supported and monitored by local authority officers. All pupils on roll have an education, health and care plan for emotional, behavioural and other difficulties or a statement of special educational needs and/or disabilities.