Werneth School, located in Romiley, Stockport, underwent an inspection on October 17 and 18, 2023, and received an overall effectiveness rating of inadequate. The quality of education was deemed to require improvement, while behavior and attitudes were rated inadequate. Personal development also requires improvement, and leadership and management were found to be inadequate. The school has not been previously inspected under section five of the Education Act 2005. The headteacher, Andrew Conroy, leads the school, which is part of the Education Learning Trust, overseen by CEO Michelle Murray and a board of trustees chaired by Helen White.
The inspection revealed that while the safeguarding systems are effective and most pupils feel safe, there are significant concerns regarding behavior and attendance. Many pupils reported that their learning experiences vary greatly, with some frequently disrupted by the poor behavior of others. High absence levels, particularly among disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities, hinder their ability to build subject knowledge over time. Although the school has raised expectations for pupil achievement and offers a broader curriculum, weaknesses in the design and delivery of some subjects remain.
The school has made some improvements in the quality of education, with current pupils in key stage four studying a wider range of subjects, including vocational options. However, many subject curriculums, especially at key stage three, are not sufficiently well designed, leading to uneven achievement across subjects. Some teachers effectively use assessment strategies to check understanding, but others fail to address misconceptions, resulting in gaps in knowledge and skills.
Pupils have opportunities to engage in various sports and educational trips, and the school has improved its strategies for identifying the needs of pupils with special educational needs. However, support for these pupils is inconsistent, leading to variable achievement. The school is working to enhance its extracurricular offerings and provides age-appropriate relationships, sex, and health education. Nevertheless, some aspects of personal development support are not consistently well delivered, leaving some pupils unprepared for life in modern Britain.
The school has made efforts to engage with parents and the community, providing helpful information about the curriculum. However, the local governing body and trust have not provided sufficient challenge to ensure a positive environment for all pupils. The inspection highlighted the need for effective and timely action to address poor behavior and attendance rates, which continue to disrupt learning. The school must implement a consistent approach to promoting positive behavior and ensure that staff are equipped to manage pupil conduct effectively.
The report emphasizes the importance of improving attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, to prevent widening gaps in learning. Additionally, the school must finalize its curriculum development to ensure that pupils build a secure body of knowledge over time. Support for pupils with special educational needs must be enhanced, and assessment strategies should be used effectively to identify and address gaps in learning. The school is encouraged to design and implement coherent programs for personal development to better prepare pupils for their future lives. Overall, while there are some positive developments, significant challenges remain that the school must address to improve outcomes for its pupils.
