Rainford High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. In 2014, an above average proportion of students left Rainford with five higher grade GCSEs, including English and mathematics. Students' attainment and progress in English and mathematics at GCSE are particularly strong, for most groups of students.

Students' behaviour in and around the college is good. Relationships between all members of the college community are cordial and characterised by mutual respect. Teaching is of good quality overall.

In most lessons, teachers create a positive climate for learning, have high expectations and plan activities that capture students' imaginations and fuel their desire to learn. Students' literac...y skills are well developed in a range of subjects. The sixth form is good and improving.

The Principal, ably supported by his senior colleagues and governors, has created a culture of high expectations. As a result, students' achievement, both in the main college and the sixth form is good and improving. Senior leaders and governors know the college well.

They do not tolerate ineffective teaching and they are eradicating any remaining pockets of weak classroom practice. Governors direct the funding they receive through the pupil premium, effectively. As a result, gaps in attainment and progress between disadvantaged students and their peers are not as wide as those nationally and are continuing to close.

Students with special educational needs and those who are educated off site are well supported and make good progress. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Across the college, not all teaching is of consistently good to outstanding quality. The most able students are not always challenged to think hard, consistently, in all of their lessons.

At Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, students are not given enough opportunities to demonstrate their mathematical problem-solving skills across the curriculum. The quality of teachers' marking is inconsistent. Senior leaders have not clarified sufficiently, how they are monitoring and evaluating the success of the college improvement plan.

A few middle leaders have not grasped the opportunity to take responsibility for the leadership and management of their subject areas. As a result, some departments have improved more rapidly than others.

Information about this school

Rainford High Technology College is a larger than average size comprehensive school which is located in Rainford, Merseyside about five miles to the north-west of St.

Helens town centre. The proportion of students supported by the pupil premium (additional government funding to support the education of students eligible for free school meals or who are looked after by the local authority) is below average. Most students are of White British heritage and very few students speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled students and those with special educational needs is below average. In 2014, the college met the government's current floor standards; these are the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. A small number of students receive part of their education off site at St.

Helens Launch Pad, St. Helens; Napier Street Inclusion Base, St. Helen's and Corner Stone, Liverpool.