De La Salle St Helens head teacher calls Ofsted rating 'misleading'

De La Salle Catholic High School was given an overall grading as ‘requires improvement’ by inspectors after a visit on June 6 and 7, the same as its previous rating in 2020.

The report rated the Eccleston school’s quality of education as ‘requires improvement’, while the school was considered ‘Good’ in all other categories for behaviour, personal development and leadership.

Andrew Rannard, head teacher at De La Salle, described the overall rating as “frustrating” as he cited recent reports in the national press on “single-word judgements” from Ofsted reports which he says “can be very misleading as is the case with ours”.

What Ofsted inspectors said

In the report, inspectors noted that “since the previous inspection, leaders have acted appropriately to improve the quality of education for pupils”.

They added: “However, in some subjects, there remain weaknesses in how well the curriculum is delivered. This means that in these subjects, some pupils do not achieve as well as they should”.

It was said “leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including those in the specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND (specially resourced provision)”.

Inspectors added: “In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment strategies well enough to identify and address pupils’ misconceptions” and “consequently, some pupils do not secure a body of knowledge on which they can build securely”.

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Some pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, do not attend school as often as they should.

However, Ofsted said “leaders identify pupils’ additional needs swiftly and accurately” and “have made reading a high priority” at the school.

It was added “leaders provide a range of opportunities to support pupils’ development” and that “staff have worked with pupils to raise their awareness of safeguarding risks”.

Pupils were found to “display positive attitudes to their learning” and “staff are supported well by leaders to manage pupils’ behaviour and apply sanctions consistently”. It was noted “there is a calm and respectful atmosphere in the school”.

Head teacher: Ofsted's single-word judgement 'very misleading'

Following publication of the report, De La Salle head teacher Andrew Rannard said: “Overall we are very pleased with the report which, when read in full, clearly recognises the ongoing improvements at the school. 

“In particular, the opening paragraph sets out clearly what it is like to attend the school: ‘This school has an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness that helps pupils feel at ease. The strong, positive relationships between staff and pupils exemplify the school’s values’.

“Likewise it recognises that, since the last inspection, leaders have acted appropriately to improve the quality of education.  The school continues to improve. 

“There are dozens of other very positive comments throughout the report (reading more like a school strongly judged good). Indeed, most of what the inspectors saw was judged good, hence the strong judgements for Leadership and Management, Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development”.

Mr Rannard added: “Within the judgement of Quality of Education, around 85 per cent of what they saw there was also good. Unfortunately based on a small number of very brief classroom visits, some as short as six minutes, the inspectors were hesitant to award Good overall. 

“As has been discussed in the national press, the issue of single word judgements as part of Ofsted reports can be very misleading as is the case with ours - as a result of that small amount of variable practice, the Quality of Education judgement automatically sets the whole school judgement. This is frustrating especially if people only look at the overall grade and not at the report in full. 

“Nevertheless the response from staff, parents and others has been 100 per cent positive. They recognise the school that the report describes of a kind caring place where children feel happy and safe.”