'Proud' Baines School in Poulton gets new Ofsted rating after being 'requires improvement' for 11 years

Staff and pupils at a Fylde coast school were celebrating today after its first glowing Ofsted report in 11 years.

Baines School in Poulton has been rated as requiring improvement following inspection visits since 2015. Previous reports in 2007 and 2011 had rated the school on Highcross Road as 'Good'.

But now, after years of "dedication and hard work", Baines - which currently has 747 pupils and a capacity for 890 - is back on track.

An inspection team, led by Rachel Goodwin said the secondary school had achieved ‘expected standard’ in every judgement area under new stricter guidelines. And Baines is the first secondary school on the Fylde Coast to achieve ‘green’ across all areas inspected.

Headteacher Clare Doherty said: "This outcome reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire school community - our staff, students, governors, parents and carers. We are especially proud that this recognition comes under a framework that demands so much from schools.

"It shows how far we have come and gives us a strong foundation for becoming the school of choice in the area."

‘A proud moment’

Inspectors noted improvements in key areas including achievement, curriculum and teaching, behaviour and attendance, personal development and wellbeing, and leadership and governance.

Chair of Governors, Nora Sopworth, added: "This is a proud moment for Baines School. The progress made over recent years has been significant, and this outcome is a testament to the strategic leadership and collective effort of the whole school community.”

The school says the new Ofsted framework has introduced a higher bar for schools nationwide, with fewer institutions achieving ‘expected standard’ across the board. Ms Goodwin said: "Leaders’ improvements to teaching and assessment are having a positive impact on pupils’ achievement."

She said the school management had worked hard to improve pupils' attendance.

"Gaps between the attendance of disadvantaged pupils, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and their peers are reducing," she said. “Overall attendance is above national averages. The school has a calm and respectful atmosphere that supports pupils’ learning.

"Pupils are usually motivated in lessons. Staff apply consequences fairly and consistently, and clear routines are in place throughout the school."

Drastic improvements in the quality of teaching throughout the school were singled out for praise, with expectations of pupil achievement raised by staff. The report said: "Leaders have taken clear steps to improve the quality of teaching across the curriculum.

"They understand what is working well in classrooms and where further improvement is needed. Leaders have raised expectations of what pupils can achieve. They are supporting teachers to develop strong subject specific teaching. As a result, teaching is improving in most subjects.

"Teaching supports pupils to become more independent and to close gaps in knowledge. However, some older pupils still have gaps in their reading, writing and number knowledge. This includes pupils who are disadvantaged or who face other barriers to learning.

"Leaders have introduced systems to help address these gaps more quickly."

‘Clear improvements’

Ms Goodwin said the 'clear improvements' had been welcomed by parents and children. She said: "Older pupils, in particular, speak positively about the changes they have seen.

"They explain how improvements to behaviour systems and the way teachers use assessment have helped them to learn better and feel more confident. Staff, including those new to the profession, also describe positive changes over time and express confidence in the direction in which leaders are taking the school.

"Leaders have focused clearly on improving behaviour, attendance and the quality of teaching. This focus has enabled the school to improve quickly."

Baines School was founded through the will of businessman and philanthropist James Baines in 1717, and is a former grammar school. It was one of three schools set up in Baines' will - the others at Marton and Thornton - teaching around 100 pupil without charging fees.