Headteacher says action being taken as school told to improve in 3 key areas
A HEADTEACHER says ‘significant improvements’ are being made after his school was told to get better by Ofsted.
Mount Carmel RC High School in Accrington was found to ‘require improvement’ in three out of four key areas including leadership and management, teaching quality and pupil outcomes.
Xavier Bowers said they are ‘extremely pleased’ to maintain their ‘good’ judgement in pupil development, behaviour and welfare and hailed the ‘many positive comments’ made by inspectors during their visit.
He said: “The overall effectiveness of our school was disappointingly judged as requiring improvement due to the school not currently demonstrating enough evidence that it is rapidly improving attainment and progress.
“We are determined to continue the good work across the school and are confident we can build upon the significant improvements that we have made and that Ofsted have recognised in the report.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that current good practice and good outcomes that are clearly evident in many subjects will be in place in all areas as soon as practically possible.”
Inspectors highlighted the ‘very high levels of staff turnover’ at the 725-pupil school which has ‘slowed the pace of improvements’ since the last inspection.
In his report, lead inspector Neil Banfield said the quality of teaching has ‘not improved quickly enough across different departments’, pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities ‘do not make good progress’ and disadvantaged pupils ‘do not achieve as well as they should’.
Ofsted praised Mr Bowers and governors for making ‘effective decisions which are leading to improved teaching and pupil outcomes’ and said they are ‘keenly aware of where improvements need to be faster’.
The report said: “The recently improved curriculum is broad and balanced. Pupil behaviour is good. The vast majority of pupils work well together. They are effectively prepared for life in modern Britain.
“Pupils from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs work and learn together harmoniously.
“Support for pupils’ welfare is strong and successful in ensuring pupils’ well-being. Procedures to ensure that pupils are safe are secure.”