Westborough High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

The overall effectiveness of the school is good. The achievement of the students is good.

The students make much better progress than might be expected given their starting points. The students' attainment is now above average on some measures. For the measures where the students' attainment is still below average, the gaps to the national average are closing rapidly.

The quality of teaching at the school is good. The students find lessons interesting and they engage in them well. Well-chosen topics and materials encourage curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

Students with additional learning needs are supported well and make good progress. The teachers provide well for developing t...he students' literacy, but opportunities to develop speaking skills and numeracy in different subjects are less well developed. The students respond well in lessons and show that they enjoy learning.

The behaviour and safety of the students are good. The students' attendance is above average. The students respond well to the teachers, are respectful towards adults and each other and conduct themselves sensibly and safely around the school.

Misbehaviour is dealt with effectively and instances are reducing. The leadership and management at the school are good. There is a consistent and sustained trend of improvement in students' attainment, at faster rates than are seen nationally.

The curriculum is broad, flexible and designed to meet the needs of the students. The school provides well for the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the students. The leaders and managers know the strengths and weaknesses of the school well and work very effectively to improve the quality of teaching.

Comprehensive and well-managed processes for monitoring and evaluating the work of the school, professional development for the staff, and performance management are leading to sustained improvements in the quality of teaching.

Information about the school

The school is broadly average in size, but the number of students on roll has increased since the previous inspection, partly as a result of an amalgamation with another local school in September 2011. It operates currently on two sites.

The proportion of girls at the school is low. The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals is almost twice the national average and has increased since the previous inspection. The proportion of students from minority-ethnic backgrounds is four times the national average, with students of Pakistani heritage comprising 68% of the school roll.

The proportion of students who speak English as an additional language is more than six times the national average and these students make up around three quarters of each year group. The proportion of students with special educational needs and/or disabilities supported at 'school action' is almost three times the average, although the proportion with higher levels of need is below average. The students with special educational needs and/or disabilities have a range of needs, but behaviour, emotional and social difficulties, and speech, language and communication difficulties make up the largest groups.

The school has specialist status for business and enterprise and the performing arts, and holds several awards, such as the Artsmark Gold, for the quality of its work in particular areas. The school is part of the Dewsbury Learning Trust. The school has been in line with the government's 'floor' standards for the last three years.

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