Ruskin Community High School, located in Crewe, Cheshire, has undergone an ungraded inspection on June 18 and 19, 2024. The overall judgement remains good, although evidence suggests that a graded inspection might yield a lower rating. The school is noted for its polite and courteous pupils who generally enjoy their time at school, valuing the respectful relationships they build with staff and peers. The school promotes an understanding of the diverse religious, social, and cultural backgrounds within the local community, fostering a welcoming environment.
The school has high expectations for pupil learning, and many students strive to meet these standards, achieving commendable results. However, attendance issues, particularly among disadvantaged pupils, hinder some students' progress and attainment. The school actively seeks to broaden pupils' horizons through various trips and visits, including opportunities to explore colleges and universities, which help students consider their future options. A wide range of extracurricular activities allows pupils to develop their talents in sports and the performing arts, ensuring inclusivity for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Recent curriculum redevelopment aims to provide a broad and ambitious learning program for all pupils, including those with special educational needs. The curriculum is structured to build on prior knowledge, although older pupils have not fully benefited from these changes, resulting in some gaps in their knowledge. Teachers generally demonstrate strong subject knowledge and appreciate the training provided by the school, particularly the coaching approach that encourages collaboration among staff. Most teachers effectively deliver the curriculum, adapting lessons to support pupils with special educational needs.
The school has improved its methods for assessing pupil learning, which has positively impacted staff workload. However, some teachers still struggle to effectively check pupils' understanding during lessons, leading to unaddressed misconceptions that can impede learning. The school has established effective processes for identifying pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they receive appropriate support to access the curriculum.
Efforts to enhance reading proficiency have been strengthened, with staff providing targeted assistance to improve pupils' reading skills. The school is also working to raise the profile of reading, encouraging more pupils to engage with literature. Attendance has improved in many cases, but challenges remain for some disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, who continue to experience high levels of absence, missing valuable learning opportunities.
Behaviour in the school is generally good, with a system in place to address any issues promptly. The school emphasizes the importance of fundamental British values, such as democracy and the rule of law, and provides suitable careers information to help pupils make informed decisions about their future paths. The governing body is committed to raising aspirations among pupils and provides appropriate support, although their oversight of certain areas could be more rigorous.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. To improve, the school needs to enhance the precision of formative assessments to address learning gaps and ensure that all pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs, attend regularly. Additionally, the school should strengthen its evaluation processes to identify and address weaknesses more swiftly. Overall, Ruskin Community High School demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and enriching educational environment for its pupils.
