Middlewich High School

Overview

Leaders are “ambitious for pupils” and have “considerably improved many aspects of the school” since recent changes. The report highlights an “increasingly academic culture” where pupils, including those with special educational needs, “achieve well” and feel “happy and safe.” However, while most pupils behave well, some do not yet meet the higher expectations for conduct, leading to occasional disruptions.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “well designed” with subject leaders carefully planning key knowledge, resulting in pupils achieving highly in most subjects.
• Staff possess “strong subject expertise” and use assessment systems effectively to check learning, with high morale and good workload management.
• Pupils benefit from a “strong personal development curriculum,” including meaningful discussions on British values, relationships, and safety.
• There is a “whole-school approach to prioritise the teaching of reading,” with effective support for most pupils needing help.
• Governors “skilfully support and challenge leaders,” and pupils enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and enrichment opportunities.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should continue work with pupils who “do not regulate their own behaviour as well as they should,” which occasionally disrupts peers.
• Leaders must ensure all teachers are equipped to deliver the curriculum consistently well, as some are still refining approaches in a “very small number of subjects.”
• Leaders should ensure older pupils benefit fully from reading strategies, as a small number “do not read as well as they should,” hindering curriculum access.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with a “strong culture of safeguarding throughout the school” and staff well-trained to identify and respond to risks.