STUDENTS, staff, parents and governors of Rainford High School are celebrating following the publication of an "outstanding" Ofsted Report.

A 14-strong team of inspectors subjected the school to very close scrutiny and concluded that: "Rainford High is a very successful school with many more and greater strengths than it has weaknesses."

Delighted headteacher, Brian Arnold said: "This excellent and well-deserved report reflects well on everyone associated with the school. It not only recognises the very high quality of education provided by the school and the significant progress made since the last inspection five years ago, but also the strong partnership between students, staff, parents and governors which is so essential in a successful school."

Among the main findings of the reports were the followng:

"The quality of teaching across both key stages and in the Sixth Form, is a consistent strength of the school. Half of the 273 lessons seen were good and a further quarter was at least very good. Very good lessons were seen in every major subject area."

The inspectors concluded that "pupils' attainment is well above average, at the end of both key stages and the Sixth Form, not just for all maintained schools nationally, but also for schools in similar social circumstances." The last part of the statement puts the school into the A category (of five grades A to E) when compared to similar schools - arguably, the most important aspect of the whole report. Students were found to take advantage of this good quality teaching by their "very positive attitudes and good behaviour." They are described as "considerate and responsible" with good attendance records and their "relationships and attitudes to work are very good."

The pastoral care system of the school is also described as a strength with students found to be "very well guided throughout their time in the school."

The strength of the school's Sixth Form Centre is well recognised in the report which notes that "the average A-level points score of 21.8 was well above the national average of 17.5 and has been consistently so for at least the last four years."with success rates in most subjects consistently good and in some subjects exceptionally good. Additionally, preparation for entry into higher education is good and the extra-curricular and social aspects of sixth form life are good.

Other pleasing aspects of the report include reference to the good partnership between the school and parents, which makes a positive contribution to the quality of education and the collaboration between the school and the business community. Provision for extra-curricular activities was found to be "splendid."

Additionally, the report acknowledges the very good work done in the feeder primary schools enabling Rainford to build on strong foundations.

The few and comparatively minor weaknesses indicated in the report, including toilet facilities, were known to the school and are already marked for action.

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