With September fast approaching, one way to learn about your children’s secondary schools is through Ofsted ratings.
Ofsted is the regulatory body responsible for inspecting schools across the country and awarding them one of four ratings - outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.
The grades are based on the views of pupils and teachers, the quality of education, behaviours, attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
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These are the best 11 schools in Liverpool, according to Ofsted from 2020 up until August 2022:
Auckland College, Inspected February 2022 - Outstanding
The inspection published in March 2022 for the Merseyside school said: “The proprietors have created new classrooms which will accommodate additional pupils. Leaders have thought carefully about where current pupils learn.
“The proprietors have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards They have thought carefully about the proposed increase in pupil numbers.”
Royal School for the Blind, Inspected November 2021 - Outstanding
Published in January 2022, the report for this school said: “Pupils thrive at this school because leaders and staff provide them with a high-quality education. Throughout the classes, there is a buzz of eager activity as pupils learn new knowledge.”
“Teachers and support staff work well together to meet the complex needs of pupils exceptionally well. This includes meeting the needs of pupils who have visual impairment.”
Archbishop Blanch CofE High School’ Inspected February 2020 - Outstanding
The inspection for this school, published in March 2020 said: “Pupils and students are exceptionally proud to be part of such a close-knit, friendly and welcoming school community. They thoroughly enjoy coming to school and they thrive in all that they do. The pupils and students to whom we spoke said that they feel very safe. They are extremely well cared for.”
Childwall Sports & Science Academy, Inspected May 2022 - Good
The report published in July 2022 said: "Pupils and students in the sixth form know that leaders and staff have high expectations of them. Leaders have worked hard to improve the quality of education that pupils receive."
North Liverpool Academy, Inspected March 2022 - Good
The report published in May 2022 for the school that “sits at the heart of the local community” said: “Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve
well. This is because leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and learning.”
The Oldershaw School, Inspected in March 2022 - Good
The inspection for this school in Wallasey was deemed ‘Good’ when published in May 2022 when the report said: “Pupils, and students in the sixth form, told inspectors that they feel happy and safe at school.
“Parents and carers are also supportive of the school. Typical comments received from parents were that the school is ‘nurturing’ and ‘at the heart of the community.”
St John Bosco Arts College, Inspected December 2021 - Good
Published in January 2022, OFSTED’s inspection for the Croxteth school said: “Pupils and students achieve well in different subjects because leaders and teachers hold high expectations for their learning.”
Archbishop Beck Catholic College, Inspected November 2021 - Good
Published in December 2021, the report for Archbishop Beck Catholic College said: “Archbishop Beck is a welcoming and supportive community. Leaders have high aspirations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils and students rise to leaders’ and teachers’ high expectations.”
Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, Inspected October 2021 - Good
Published in January 2022, the report for the Sefton secondary school said: “Pupils told inspectors that they trust that staff have their best interests at heart. Staff support and care about pupils as individuals.
“Pupils feel confident to be themselves because staff foster a positive culture of tolerance and respect.”
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Inspected September 2021 - Good
The report published in November 2021 for this secondary school said: “Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School is a learning community where pupils have great respect for each other. Teachers support pupils to become highly articulate young people who can express their views well on a wide range of issues.
"Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and supportive. "
St Hilda's Church of England High School, Inspected in September 2021 - Good
Published in November 2021, the report for this school said: “Pupils, including those students in the sixth form, are full of praise for this school. They feel that it is a happy and safe place to be.
“Pupils said that staff support them to thrive as individuals.”
Progress Schools, Hamilton Square, Inspected June 2021 - Good
The inspection report published in June 2021 said: “This is a caring and supportive place for pupils to learn. The proprietor, leaders and staff have high aspirations for all pupils. Pupils achieve well.
“Pupils told me that they are listened to and feel safe. They trust staff. Pupils know that staff will help them if they are worried about anything.”
Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, Inspected January 2020 - Good
The report published in February 2020 for this school said: “Leaders, governors and staff are passionate about helping pupils to become successful and active citizens.
“The school’s motto, ‘Every day is an interview’, promotes professional standards and high expectations. Many pupils with previous poor experiences of schooling flourish in a caring and supportive environment.”
Update:
READ MORE: Childwall Sports & Science Academy and Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School both attained 'good' reports in the time period the article covers. These were omitted in error and have now been added. We apologise for this omission.
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