Platt Bridge Community School, located in Wigan, Lancashire, was inspected on July 10 and 11, 2024. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, with specific areas such as behaviour and attitudes receiving an outstanding rating. The quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated as good, while early years provision was also deemed outstanding. The executive headteacher, Sue Darbyshire, leads the school, which is part of the Community First Academy Trust, overseen by a board of trustees chaired by Ruth Rule-Mullen.
The school has not undergone a graded inspection for over a decade, with the last inspection occurring in June 2013, where it was rated outstanding. The long gap between inspections was due to the school being exempt from routine inspections by law until November 2020. The current inspection reflects the school’s performance under the latest inspection framework and considers any changes since the last graded inspection.
Attending Platt Bridge Community School is described as a positive experience for pupils, who feel happy and safe. The school environment is characterized by kindness and respect, with staff providing high-quality emotional support. Pupils demonstrate excellent behaviour and a strong commitment to their learning. The early years provision is particularly effective, with children quickly settling into school and engaging enthusiastically with the activities provided. Older pupils are encouraged to explore their talents and interests through a variety of experiences, including clubs and residential trips.
Pupils generally achieve well across a broad range of subjects, responding positively to the school’s high expectations. The school provides additional support for those who need it, including pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The specially resourced provision for these pupils is well-managed, ensuring they are ready to learn alongside their peers.
Leadership at all levels is effective, with a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. The local academy board and trust leaders provide strategic leadership and ensure that staff have the necessary resources to support pupils effectively. The early reading curriculum is a notable strength, with children being immersed in songs, rhymes, and stories from an early age, which enhances their vocabulary and prepares them for phonics instruction.
While the school has made significant strides in its reading curriculum, recent data indicates that a notable proportion of Year 6 pupils left with below-average progress in reading. The school is actively working to address this issue, and current pupils are showing improved fluency in reading, which supports their overall learning.
The early years curriculum is expertly designed, allowing children to build on their existing knowledge and skills. The curriculum in key stages 1 and 2 is also well-organized, enabling pupils to develop their knowledge over time. However, there are some subjects where staff development and curriculum delivery need improvement, particularly in aspects of English, where pupils' knowledge of grammar, spelling, and handwriting is inconsistent.
Pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and school, with good attendance rates. Staff are sensitive to the needs of pupils who struggle with behaviour management, ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND, achieve well. The school also emphasizes the importance of pupils’ wider development, teaching them about financial management and social issues, preparing them to be responsible citizens.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. To improve further, the school needs to enhance its monitoring of curriculum delivery in certain subjects and ensure that foundational writing skills are consistently developed as pupils progress through the school. Overall, Platt Bridge Community School provides a supportive and enriching educational experience for its pupils.
