A Message From Our Headteacher
I am delighted and incredibly proud to welcome you to Lostock High School as your new Interim Headteacher. Having been part of the Lostock community for many years, I know first-hand what makes this school so special. I have seen the dedication of our staff, the resilience of our students and the strength of our community, and I feel privileged to lead Lostock High School into the next chapter of its journey.
Whether you are already part of our school family or considering Lostock High School for your child, I hope this gives you a sense of who we are, what we stand for and where we are going.
What Makes Us Special
Lostock High School has a proud tradition of caring deeply for every child. Our approach to supporting pupils' welfare and pastoral needs is a particular strength, with well-trained staff on hand to help students build resilience and get back on track when facing difficulties.
Our school celebrates diversity, with pupils benefiting from many opportunities to learn about the cultures, languages and religions represented in our community. This reinforces our ethos of tolerance and mutual understanding, creating a welcoming environment where everyone belongs.
Our recent Ofsted inspection recognised many of these strengths, including our commitment to supporting pupils' personal development and wellbeing. We are proud of these achievements and remain ambitious about continuing to improve every aspect of school life.
Our Values
At the heart of Lostock High School are three values that shape everything we do: respect, responsibility and kindness. These are not just words on a wall – we live them every day through our simple but powerful school rules: be Ready, Respectful and Safe.
My Vision: Excellence and Consistency for Every Child
My vision is simple but ambitious: every child at Lostock High School will receive consistently effective teaching and support that enables them to achieve their full potential.
Every decision I make as Interim Headteacher will be guided by one question:
"Is this the very best for our students?"
I want every young person to leave Lostock with the knowledge, confidence and character to succeed in whatever path they choose.
My Priorities as Interim Head Teacher:
1. Consistently Excellent Teaching Across All Subjects
We have ambitious, well-designed curriculum and teachers with strong subject knowledge. I am prioritising a strengthened professional learning programme that will ensure every teacher consistently uses effective strategies to check understanding, address gaps in knowledge, and adapt their teaching to meet individual pupils' needs.
2. Closing Knowledge Gaps and Supporting Every Learner
We know that some pupils have gaps in their knowledge that hinder their achievement. Moving forward, leaders will ensure that information about your child's specific needs is acted upon in every lesson. Teachers will systematically check what pupils have understood and immediately address anything that is missing or forgotten. Our support for reading, writing and numeracy will be intensified and carefully monitored for impact.
3. Improving Attendance – Every day Counts
We know that our Attendance has been below national averages, and we also know that irregular attendance leads to knowledge gaps widening over time.
We will continue to work closely with our families to understand and remove barriers to attendance. You will see enhanced communication, earlier intervention when concerns arise, and celebration of improved attendance.
4. Embedding Our Positive Behaviour Culture
My expectation is that every member of staff will apply our behaviour expectations consistently. Pupils will experience fairness and clarity in every classroom and social space. When concerns about bullying or discriminatory language are raised, they will be dealt with swiftly and effectively.
What I'm Building On: Our Proven Successes
I am not starting from scratch. We have achieved impressive examination results for pupils newly arrived to the country and those in our specially resourced SEND provision the Hub. Our comprehensive careers guidance and personal development programme, including PSHE and RSE, prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain.
These successes prove what we can achieve when we get things right. My job is to replicate this strong practice across every aspect of school life.
By attending Lostock High School your children will benefit from warm, affirming relationships with staff who care deeply for their welfare. They will leave us well-prepared for their next steps in life, equipped with knowledge, qualifications, resilience and the confidence to succeed.
Working Together
Our governors share this moral purpose to serve pupils' best interests and provide strong challenge and support. But we cannot do this alone. I am committed to working in partnership with you, listening to your feedback and keeping you informed of our progress.
Although there is change in leadership, please be assured: there is absolute clarity of direction. We know what we need to do, we have the strategies in place, and we have the determination to see them through.
I am excited about the future of Lostock High School and privileged to lead this next chapter of our journey. Together, we will ensure that every child achieves their very best.
