Alderman Peel High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 April 2022

All pupils are known well and cared for in this small, friendly and supportive school. Pupils enjoy school life. They are kind to one other. Pupils say, 'We are like one big friendship group.' Behaviour is good. Pupils are polite and well-mannered. Most attend school regularly. They feel safe and say, 'Bullying does not happen here.' Pupils respond well to the high expectations staff have of them. They value the rewards given for working hard, wearing the correct uniform, having the right equipment and helping others. Pupils wear their badges for achievement and for leadership in school and in the community with pride. Pastoral care is a real strength. If pupils have concerns or need someone to talk to, 'the hub' is the place to go. It also provides a haven for the most disadvantaged pupils. Caring and supportive staff help pupils to feel safe, grow in confidence and become more independent. Pupils' personal development is prioritised. Most pupils engage in the exceptional range of well-planned extra-curricular clubs, trips and residential visits provided. They take responsibility for running clubs and events, working in the community, caring for younger pupils and the local environment.

What the school should improve

• Information shared with teachers about the learning needs of some pupils with SEND, and what can be done to help them learn effectively, lacks precision. Not all the recommended strategies are clearly identified or used consistently. Leaders do not check that this information is used systematically by staff in lessons. Leaders should ensure that the quality of information about all pupils shared with teachers is suitably precise, and that all staff understand how to make full use of this information to inform their planning of learning for, and teaching of, pupils with SEND.
• The school's agreed expectations of how pupils should present their work have lapsed. Across a range of different subjects, too much work is untidy or left unfinished. Leaders should remind all staff about the agreed expectations listed on the front of pupils' books. They should scrutinise pupils' books routinely to check that staff in all subjects are applying these agreed expectations consistently.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)