A Brighton school “requires improvement”, according to a report by Ofsted, the official education watchdog.
Longhill High School, in Falmer Road, Rottingdean, was previously rated as “good” but “significant challenges in recruiting staff, alongside several changes at senior leadership level, have been particularly unsettling for the school in recent years”.
The school has 875 pupils from 11 to 16 years old on the roll and was visited by four inspectors in March.
The report said: “Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough and their variable attitudes to learning have slowed their progress. This has resulted in disappointing levels of attainment in external examinations.
“Recent leadership changes are already securing significant improvements. Expectations of pupils and staff are much higher now.
“The focus on high aspirations, determination and success is ensuring that pupils are more positive about their education.
“Pupils appreciate the revised behaviour policy, the smart school uniform and being welcomed by staff at the start of the day.
“Parents say that communication is better and they value the formation of the parents’ forum.
“Pupils say behaviour is improving and behaviour seen was mostly calm and positive. Older pupils have high aspirations for their futures. These are encouraged by positive, respectful relationships and a sharp focus on the next stage of their education, employment or training.
“Pupils are safe and say they are happy. Incidents of bullying have reduced and pupils confirm that there are trusted adults to turn to if they have any concerns.”
The report calls for a number of improvements including in personal, social, health and economic (PHSE) education.
Ofsted said: “Across the curriculum, variability in the quality of teaching prevents pupils from learning as well as they should. As a result, pupils’ achievement remains significantly below national averages.
“The school should ensure that existing best practice is shared across all subjects, supported by strong subject leadership and ongoing professional development.
“Despite recent improvements, behaviour is not always consistently good and attendance is not high enough. As a result, pupils do not benefit sufficiently from the well-planned curriculum.
“The school should ensure that their current focused work on behaviour results in low-level disruption being eliminated and pupils, particularly the disadvantaged, coming to school more often.
“The implementation of the personal development programme is uneven across the school. As a result, pupils are not sufficiently engaged in PSHE and mentor time or consistently prepared for life in modern Britain.
Next step Academy ?
Adjectant Topic: Longhill has the most expensive uniforms out of all the schools in Brighton.
Not surprised that their still making the students out to be the problem yet again 🙄