Rainhill High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 February 2023

Since the previous inspection, leaders and staff have raised their expectations of what pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, can achieve academically. Leaders' hopes and aspirations for pupils are reflected in ambitious subject curriculums. Current pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well in most subjects. For the most part, pupils, and students in the sixth form, are respectful of their peers and their teachers. They act with kindness towards each other, and they said that they can be themselves. This helps most pupils to feel happy and safe in school. Overall, teachers expect the best of pupils. Largely, pupils respond positively to rules and routines by behaving well, working hard and trying their best. Most pupils feel that there is an adult in school that they can speak with if have any concerns. When incidents of bullying are reported, leaders deal with these incidents quickly and effectively. That said, a very small proportion of pupils and their parents and carers are not confident in leaders' systems to deal with bullying. Older pupils appreciate the leadership opportunities on offer. For example, they were keen to explain how the student parliament plays an important role in supporting pupils' well-being. Pupils were enthusiastic about raising money for local charities and supporting community projects.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, some teachers lack the confidence to deliver some aspects of the curriculum as leaders intend. Over time, this hinders how well some pupils learn and remember the curriculum. In these subjects, leaders should ensure that teachers are supported well to gain the expertise that they need to deliver curriculums effectively.
• Some pupils and students do not attend school as regularly as they should. This is particularly the case for some disadvantaged pupils. These pupils miss out on important learning. They do not achieve as well as they should. Leaders should continue to ensure that they support pupils and their families so that these pupils attend school regularly and access the full curriculum.
• Those responsible for governance do not have sufficient oversight of the quality of education for those students who attend the off-site, sixth-form provision. This prevents governors and trustees from holding leaders to account fully for the quality of education in the sixth form. Trustees and governors should ensure that they have the information that they need to check that students in the sixth form benefit from a high-quality education.

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