The County High School, Leftwich

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The principal inspires her staff to work tirelessly for the interests of all pupils in their charge. She instils a clear vision to all staff of 'achievement for all'. Pupils' achievement is at the heart of all her actions.

The close-knit leadership team has nurtured outstanding leadership across the school at all levels. All leaders play a pivotal role in ensuring that pupils achieve to the best of their ability. Leaders are quick to identify any areas of underperformance and deal with these effectively.

Cohesive teamworking ensures that 'no pupil is overlooked.' Leaders' ambition and drive have been instrumental in the consistent... improvement in examination results. Pupils' progress and attainment are outstanding.

They thrive and flourish in the school and make excellent progress across a wide range of subjects, whatever their circumstances. Middle leaders pursue excellence. They are highly skilled and knowledgeable.

They drive high expectations within their subject areas and build an ethos of collective responsibility. All staff feel fully accountable for the progress of all pupils. The governing body provides exemplary challenge and support.

Governors are highly experienced and dedicated to improving the life chances of all pupils. Reading is successfully promoted and embedded across the school to heighten pupils' literacy development. Leaders establish outstanding links with local primary schools and ensure that pupils entering the school in Year 7 are highly prepared.

The transition is seamless and supports pupils' continued achievement. Teachers expertly tailor high-quality lessons that intrigue and interest pupils. Pupils display a thirst for learning and flourish with activities that are well matched to their needs and interests.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is well planned and richly embedded across a broad and balanced curriculum. Consequently, pupils feel well prepared for their next steps in education and for life in modern Britain. Pupils display first-rate behaviour in classrooms and around the school.

They are polite, friendly and courteous to each other. The school is a harmonious place to learn and consequently pupils' attendance is high. However, there is still a need to work with some parents to improve the attendance and achievement of a few pupils.

Pupils feel very safe and cared for in an exceptionally supportive and well-led environment. Pupils' academic success and personal welfare are equal priorities for all staff. The work that the school does to keep its pupils safe is exemplary.

Learning support assistants (LSAs) are highly skilled and work in close collaboration with teachers to ensure that the most vulnerable pupils receive first-rate support and achieve well.

Information about this school

The County High School Leftwich is an average-sized secondary school. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is below the national average.

The pupil premium is additional government funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after. The proportion of pupils who have special needs or disability is well below average. Almost all the pupils are White British.

A few pupils in key stage 4 attend part-time vocational courses at Mid Cheshire College. A very small number of pupils attend alternative provision at The Bridge Short Stay Academy, a pupil referral unit. The school meets the government's floor standards, which are the minimum expectations of pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 11.