Formby High School

Overview

Formby High School is described as a “welcoming and friendly school” where pupils feel “safe and happy” and are “inspired to succeed.” Leaders have cultivated a “kind and considerate school community” with high expectations for learning and behaviour, resulting in calm classrooms and positive relationships between staff and students.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “rich and vibrant,” with subject leaders carefully planning how knowledge builds over time to help pupils “build securely on earlier learning.”
• Teachers are “knowledgeable” and use effective methods to check understanding, allowing them to quickly identify and address misconceptions in most subjects.
• Reading is a priority, with a “well-developed culture of reading for pleasure” and targeted support ensuring disadvantaged pupils can “catch up with their peers.”
• Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is strong, with needs identified “quickly and accurately” and supported by “well-thought-out individualised programmes.”
• Pupils display “very high standards of conduct,” are “courteous and respectful,” and benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities and careers education.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, assessments are not fully matched to the curriculum, meaning teachers may not know if pupils have missed essential learning; leaders must ensure pupils learn all intended knowledge.
• The personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum is not linked together thoughtfully enough, leaving some pupils less prepared for life beyond school; leaders should structure it as effectively as other subjects.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of safeguarding,” regular staff training, and proactive identification of risks such as drug misuse and county lines.