A LARGER-THAN-AVERAGE comprehensive school in Ellesmere Port has outstanding features, says Ofsted.
The inspectors reached their finding after a two-day visit to Whitby High School in Sycamore Drive.
Rating the 1,607 student school as ‘good’ overall, they highlighted ‘outstanding’ features including the quality of some of the teaching and the curriculum.
The inspectors pointed to a previous inspection in 2008, which had found the school to be ‘satisfactory’ and said there had been improvements ‘right across the school’.
“There is a growing confidence and belief among parents and carers, teachers and students,” they reported.
“Students are proud of their school , which is held in high regard by the vast majority of parents.”
The inspectors suggest the school is ‘well led’ by headteacher Margaret Hughes, who they describe as ‘determined’.
They said Mrs Hughes and the senior leadership team ‘have clarity of vision and a commitment to ensuring the school constantly develops and improves’.
Students’ success in GCSE exams has been ‘significantly above average’ for the last two years and all students make good progress across the school.
Raising achievement in English and maths is a top priority and Ofsted says the school works ‘tirelessly’ to provide students with the most appropriate curriculum to maximise their potential.
The inspectors told the students: “Your positive attitudes to learning make a strong contribution to your good progress.”
The students told the inspectors their teachers were helpful and supportive and most of them made their lessons interesting by involving them in their learning.
