Penketh High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

Pupils are proud to be part of this inclusive community. They feel safe when they are in school. They know who to speak to if they are worried or upset. Pupils enjoy good, warm relationships with staff and leaders. Most pupils live up to the school's high expectations about behaviour. They behave well in lessons and around school. The corridors are busy but ordered when pupils and staff move from lesson to lesson. Once lessons begin, a calm atmosphere descends and learning quickly resumes in the classrooms. The school is ambitious for all pupils. Staff are determined that pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), gain the knowledge and skills that they need to thrive in their future lives. In many subjects, pupils achieve well. All pupils attend enrichment lessons, which take place during the school day. Pupils are keen to select from a very wide range of activities. Each activity is designed to develop one of the 10 key skills which the school has identified as necessary for pupils to live safe, rewarding and happy lives. As a result, pupils can speak confidently about skills such as teamwork, staying positive and being creative. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their lives.

What the school should improve

• The impact of teachers' assessment strategies is variable across a small number of subjects. This means that gaps in pupils' knowledge are sometimes not identified or addressed quickly enough. The school should ensure that its work to check pupils' learning helps them to achieve as well as they should across all subjects.

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