Lathom High School : A Technology College

Overview

The report states that pupils experience a “much stronger education than they did in the past” following effective improvements by leaders, governors, and staff. It highlights a “caring and friendly atmosphere” where pupils feel safe, behave well, and achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Strengths

• Leaders have “reviewed and redesigned the school curriculum,” ensuring key stage 3 pupils study subjects in “sufficient depth” and key stage 4 focuses on the English Baccalaureate.
• Teachers use “subject-specialist knowledge well to explain concepts and deepen pupils’ learning,” with new staff appreciating the support they receive.
• Reading is “promoted well across the school,” with prompt identification of pupils who have fallen behind and trained staff delivering phonics to support accurate and fluent reading.
• Pupils enjoy a wide range of experiences, including sporting events, trips, and taking on responsibilities, which help to “broaden pupils’ horizons.”
• Staff report that leaders are “supportive and considerate of their well-being and workload,” while governors are “committed to the school” and hold leaders to account.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum is “not designed effectively in a small number of subjects,” requiring leaders to continue developing the identification of key knowledge and sequence of learning.
• Some teachers do not check well enough what pupils know before moving on, leading to “gaps in their knowledge,” so leaders must ensure more consistent checking to deepen understanding.

Safeguarding

The report confirms that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff receiving regular training and leaders taking prompt action when concerns are reported.