The Heights Blackburn

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 February 2025

Everyone is made to feel welcome at this school. Many pupils arrive following poor experiences in education. The school sets high expectations to help pupils settle and be ready to reconnect with education. Pupils are listened to, respected and valued by staff. They are happy and safe here. The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Staff are highly skilled at adapting the curriculum to meet pupils' individual needs. Older pupils succeed in gaining a range of vocational awards and academic qualifications. Typically, pupils achieve well from their various starting points. The school's caring atmosphere makes a significant contribution to pupils' growing self- esteem and to their sense of belonging. Typically, classrooms are harmonious and purposeful. Across the school, pupils behave well. The school provides pupils with the tools that they need to succeed in life. Opportunities to strengthen pupils' resilience and social skills are wide-ranging. Pupils enjoy a broad range of activities such as visits to a music studio, an escape room and salon facilities. They relish the range of outdoor experiences on offer. The school carefully plans trips and visits that help support the development of pupils' social, communication and employability skills.

What the school should improve

• At times, teachers' checks on learning, especially when pupils have been absent, are not timely enough to spot gaps in pupils' knowledge. As a result, some pupils are insecure in their learning. The school should ensure that teachers swiftly identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge so that they can learn well.

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