Archbishop Temple School Church of England High School in Preston, Lancashire, was inspected on 21 and 22 September 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, a significant decline from its previous outstanding rating twelve years ago. The quality of education was deemed good, but areas such as behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were found to require improvement.
Most pupils reported feeling happy and safe at the school, indicating positive relationships with peers and staff. However, some pupils expressed concerns about bullying, stating that while they believed staff would address issues, not all felt confident in this regard. The behavior of pupils was generally good, but a minority struggled to meet the raised expectations set by school leaders regarding behavior and appearance.
The school has high expectations for pupil achievement, ensuring that all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, have access to a broad and ambitious curriculum. Pupils progress well through their studies, particularly in key stage four, where they can choose from a wide range of academic subjects. The curriculum is designed effectively in many subjects, allowing pupils to build knowledge logically. Teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, using various assessment methods to identify and address gaps in learning.
Despite these strengths, the school has faced challenges in maintaining effective behavior management. Recent changes to behavior policies have not been consistently applied, leading to some pupils not behaving as expected. Additionally, while leaders have made strides in improving attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, attendance remains a concern.
The personal development curriculum has been recently enhanced, providing pupils with more comprehensive education on relationships, health, and sex education. However, the impact of these changes is still limited, and pupils are not as well prepared for life in modern Britain as they could be. The school offers age-appropriate careers education, but opportunities for real-world experiences were reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and are only now being revived.
Governance has improved, with governors beginning to challenge leaders more effectively, contributing to positive changes in the quality of education. Staff morale is high, with teachers appreciating the support they receive regarding workload and professional development opportunities.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with a culture of vigilance present in the school. Staff are well-trained to recognize signs of risk and work collaboratively with external agencies to support pupils and their families. Pupils are educated on online safety and understand how to keep themselves safe outside of school.
To improve, the school must ensure consistent application of behavior policies and provide adequate training for staff to deliver the personal development curriculum effectively. Addressing these areas will help prepare pupils better for their future and enhance their overall experience at the school. The leadership team is committed to making these improvements, and with continued support from governors and staff, the school can work towards regaining its previous outstanding status.
