Our Lady's Catholic High School in Fulwood, Preston, underwent an inspection on 28 and 29 September 2022, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school has high ambitions for all its pupils, fostering a welcoming community where students feel valued and supported. Pupils express happiness in belonging to this environment, demonstrating kindness and celebrating diversity. They feel confident that any incidents of bullying will be addressed promptly, contributing to a sense of safety within the school.
The curriculum at Our Lady's is well-structured, allowing pupils to achieve commendable results, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as disadvantaged students. Staff maintain high expectations for pupil behavior, creating a calm learning atmosphere. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Pupils enthusiastically participate in clubs and trips, enhancing their educational experience.
Leaders have made significant strides in ensuring that the curriculum is ambitious and broad, with a focus on building upon prior knowledge. However, there are some areas, particularly in key stage three subjects, where the foundational knowledge has not been sufficiently considered, leading to occasional gaps in understanding. Teachers generally possess strong subject knowledge and effectively introduce new concepts, although assessment methods in certain subjects do not always provide timely insights into pupil misconceptions, impacting long-term retention of knowledge.
The school is proactive in identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they have access to the full curriculum alongside their peers. The reading curriculum has been improved, with a clear emphasis on developing reading and vocabulary skills, which aids pupils in accessing the wider curriculum.
Pupils exhibit positive behavior in classrooms and during social times, with pastoral staff working closely with those who may struggle to meet behavioral expectations. This support helps pupils reflect on and improve their conduct, contributing to a conducive learning environment. The personal development curriculum effectively educates pupils on health and safety, while age-appropriate careers education broadens their aspirations and prepares them for future choices.
The governing body is well-informed about the school and plays an active role in supporting and challenging leaders to enhance educational quality. Leaders are also attentive to staff workload and well-being, fostering a positive working environment.
The safeguarding arrangements are robust, with a strong culture of vigilance among staff regarding pupil safety. Leaders ensure that all staff are well-trained and aware of potential risks, and they collaborate with external agencies to provide necessary support for pupils and their families.
To improve further, the school needs to ensure that all subjects at key stage three have clearly defined building blocks of knowledge to enhance learning. Additionally, assessment approaches should be refined to better align with the curriculum, enabling teachers to monitor pupil progress more effectively. Overall, Our Lady's Catholic High School demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational experience for its pupils, with clear pathways for continued improvement.
