Tytherington School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

The school was inspected in 2009 and judged to be good. In 2010 its examination results declined. However, this decline was reversed in 2011.

Inspectors found students to be making good progress in the majority of subjects, although not all are yet achieving to their full potential. Students who enter the school with higher-than-average attainment make particularly good progress against their starting points. Since 2009, the school has improved further students' attendance and behaviour, both of which are good.

Students continue to make an outstanding contribution within the school and the local community, and show good levels of respect for other people. The school is characterised by a warm... and welcoming atmosphere, where staff and students work well together. A large majority of teaching in the school is good or better, and over a quarter of lessons observed were outstanding.

The use of assessment to support learning has improved since the previous inspection and is good in lessons. The school does not sufficiently share the good practice that exists in many areas in marking students' work, and ensuring all students know what level of attainment they are achieving against their target grades. The curriculum continues to be good, with new courses being introduced where appropriate to better meet the needs of some learners, for example in the science department.

Care, guidance and support remain an outstanding feature of the school and contribute significantly to students' well-being and personal development. The school has recently taken action to strengthen links between academic and pastoral support. The school is well led and managed.

Self-evaluation is strong. Since the previous inspection, the school has experienced a period of uncertainty in the senior leadership team, due to illness and secondment. Despite this period of uncertainty, the school reacted quickly and effectively to rectify the decline in standards in 2010.

A strong middle leadership team enhances the work of the senior team. Governors have a very clear understanding of the areas for development as well as the strengths of the school, and have been quick to act to address the senior leadership situation. Leadership and management of the sixth form are outstanding and outcomes are good and improving.

Inspectors judge that the school has good capacity to maintain the improvements in 2011 and build on this further.

Information about the school

The school serves the north-east of the town of Macclesfield, the small town of Bollington, and surrounding areas. Nearly all students are White British.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals is below the national average. The number of students with special educational needs and/or disabilities is around average. The school has specialist status in science.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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