West Craven High School, located in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, has recently undergone an inspection that has highlighted several areas for improvement. The school, which is part of the Pendle Education Trust, is led by Principal John Bates and overseen by CEO Anita Ghidotti and a board of trustees chaired by Rob Pheasey. The inspection, conducted on July 2 and 3, 2024, resulted in an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement, a designation that reflects the school's current challenges in delivering quality education and fostering positive behavior among students.
The inspection revealed that while many pupils exhibit a strong desire to learn, their academic achievements do not meet expectations. This shortfall is attributed to ineffective curriculum delivery in certain subjects. Although the school has raised its behavioral expectations, resulting in improved conduct among many students, there are still some who do not engage positively with their learning. Most students demonstrate respect for one another and do not view bullying as a significant issue, although instances of derogatory language persist, indicating a need for more robust reporting and intervention mechanisms.
The school has made strides in developing an ambitious curriculum, particularly in key stage four, but inconsistencies in teaching quality across subjects hinder overall student achievement. In some areas, staff expectations are not sufficiently high, and the activities chosen do not align well with the curriculum's ambitions. This has led to gaps in knowledge and understanding, particularly for students with special educational needs and those who are disadvantaged.
Reading has been prioritized, with numerous opportunities for students to engage with texts. However, support for struggling readers has not been as effective as it should be, limiting their development into confident readers. The school is beginning to address these issues, but progress is still needed.
The identification of additional needs for students with special educational needs is effective, and staff are equipped to provide appropriate support. However, the weaknesses in curriculum delivery mean that some of these students do not learn successfully. Attendance remains a concern for certain groups, including those with special educational needs and disadvantaged students. The school has implemented measures to improve attendance rates, which have shown some positive results.
Pupils receive extensive personal development support, including career advice and opportunities to engage in community events. However, experiences can vary, with some students encountering discriminatory comments. The school has made efforts to strengthen its staffing and leadership, with support from the trust to minimize disruptions to learning. Nonetheless, ongoing work is required to enhance leadership processes and improve the pace of school improvement.
Staff generally appreciate the support they receive, and the well-being of staff is prioritized by governors and trustees. The safeguarding arrangements in place are effective, ensuring a safe environment for students. To improve, the school must raise expectations for student learning, enhance assessment strategies to identify knowledge gaps, and ensure consistent application of behavior policies to address unacceptable behavior swiftly. Strengthening quality assurance processes will also be crucial in identifying and addressing weaknesses across the school's provision. Overall, while West Craven High School has made some progress, significant work remains to ensure that all students achieve their full potential.
