Loreto High School Chorlton

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 May 2024

Most pupils are happy to be part of this very welcoming school community. Pupils from a wide range of backgrounds mix well with each other. Staff care for pupils' well-being and safety. Pupils know who to speak to if they are worried or upset. The school is ambitious for pupils to succeed. Pupils benefit from the recent improvements that the school has made to the quality of education that it provides. However, pupils learn better in some lessons than in others. This is because the curriculum is not delivered consistently well. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well as they should. Pupils behave well as they move around school and at breaktimes and lunchtimes. Recently, the school has introduced a new code of conduct. In most lessons, staff ensure that pupils follow the new rules well. Pupils are friendly and respectful to each other and to adults, including visitors. Pupils benefit from extra-curricular opportunities offered by the school. For example, pupils attend trips, both abroad and closer to home. Pupils participate in a wide range of activities that develop their appreciation of art, music and drama. Many pupils relish the chance to demonstrate their leadership skills across different areas of school life.

What the school should improve

• The school has not ensured that the intended curriculum, including reading, is delivered consistently well. As a result, some pupils, including those with SEND, have gaps in their knowledge and understanding. This hinders pupils' achievement and how well they progress through the curriculum. The school should ensure that teachers are fully equipped to deliver the curriculum effectively.
• At times, staff do not check pupils' understanding sufficiently well before introducing new learning. This hinders teachers' ability to address pupils' gaps in knowledge effectively. The school should ensure that staff use appropriate assessment strategies that support teachers to help pupils achieve well across the curriculum.
• Some staff do not apply the behaviour policy effectively. As a result, a small minority of pupils disrupt other pupils' learning. The school should ensure that staff apply the behaviour policy, and strategies to improve pupils' behaviour, consistently well.
• In some subjects, the school's oversight of the quality of education that pupils receive is underdeveloped. As a result, the school has not acted quickly enough to remedy the variability in curriculum delivery. The school should ensure that subject leaders receive support and guidance to monitor and improve their areas of responsibility effectively.

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