Ormskirk School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school Since the last inspection, leaders and governors have been too slow to bring about improvement.

Over this period, leaders and teachers have not been held to account effectively for the progress and welfare of the pupils in their care. Disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not make the progress that they should. Teaching is not consistently good.

Pupils do not have enough time to reflect on their work and make improvements. Teachers do not consistently support pupils to develop accuracy and fluency in their writing. When teaching is not effective, teachers do not plan for learni...ng that meets pupils' needs and eliminate gaps in pupils' knowledge, including in the sixth form.

Pupils' work is sometimes of poor quality; it is untidy, often unfinished and sometimes tasks are missing, particularly for boys. Occasionally, bullying is not dealt with effectively by staff. Teachers have not used school policies effectively.

As a result, pupils' behaviour has declined since the previous inspection. A minority of pupils behave inappropriately in social areas and corridors. When teachers' expectations are too low, activities fail to capture pupils' interest.

Pupils stop working and disrupt learning. This is not challenged consistently by teachers. The proportion of pupils who have been excluded for a fixed period is higher than the national average, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND.

The proportion of pupils who are regularly absent from school is high, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND. Over time, in the sixth form, leaders' actions have not had enough impact on improving teaching and outcomes for academic courses. The school has the following strengths The recent appointment of a new headteacher has already started to have a positive impact on pupils' attitudes and behaviour.

Safeguarding is effective. Careers information and guidance are effective in supporting pupils for their next stage. The curriculum includes a broad range of subjects.

Information about this school

Ormskirk School is larger than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below the national average.

The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is in line with the national average. In key stage 4, a small number of pupils attend alternative provision at the Training and Learning Centre, West Lancashire Community High School and BDS Training (Skelmersdale).