Lyng Hall School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 5 November 2024

Lyng Hall School welcomes everyone. Staff 'go the extra mile' to help pupils. They support those who are new to the school well so that they settle quickly into the learning community. Pupils get along with each other. They know who to turn to if they have a concern, and they feel safe. The rate of attendance is rising and closing in on the national average. The school sets high expectations for pupils, and, generally, these are met. Pupils behave well in lessons, and disruption is rare. Leaders have planned a broad and ambitious curriculum, and they make sure that staff follow it. Staff adapt it well to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Nonetheless, pupils in the main school often do not learn and remember as much as they should. Pupils learn to respect others, including those different from themselves. They benefit from effective careers advice. Pupils have many opportunities to develop their talents, including a trip to China and school productions. A high proportion of pupils, including of those who are disadvantaged, take part in clubs. Students in the sixth form learn well. They value the high-quality feedback and advice that they receive.

What the school should improve

• Pupils often do not recall their previous learning. They therefore do not build up their knowledge and understanding effectively over time. The school should ensure that pupils add incrementally to their learning and receive more support with strategies that help them to do this.
• The outcomes of the school's procedures for checking pupils' understanding, both in the classroom and through more formal assessments, are not yet used reliably and consistently. As a result, pupils do not benefit from teaching that is most closely matched to what they already know and can do. The school should ensure that staff make the best use of these checks to adapt the curriculum so that work is always accurately tailored to pupils' needs.
• The school's intended changes to raise achievement in the main school are not being put into practice consistently. This means that standards for pupils are not rising swiftly and reliably. The school should ensure that all intended changes are having the desired impact and that amendments to the plans are made where necessary.

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