WEST Craven High School in Barnoldswick has been ranked as 'requiring improvement' by Ofsted.

The school, which has 616 pupils on its roll, was given the same rating at a full inspection in 2022; and in 2019 was marked as 'inadequate'.

Following a two-day visit in July, Ofsted inspectors have said improvement is needed, in all areas, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

However,  there are several positives, such as many pupils having a 'strong appetite for learning' and how the school has 'considerably increased its expectations of how pupils should behave'.

The report states that 'many pupils now behave well' and are 'polite and articulate'; most 'demonstrate respect towards each other' and 'value the support they receive from staff'.

Pupils take part in a 'range of competitions and events', the school has an 'ambitious curriculum' and in some subjects 'achieve well' because of the high expectations of staff.

However, in other subjects, staff's expectations are 'not as high as they should be' and what pupils know and can do is 'not checked carefully enough'.

Reading has been prioritised, there are many opportunities for pupils to read regularly and support is in place for those who struggle - although not as effective as it should be.

The school has effective strategies in place to identify the additional needs of pupils with special educational needs (SEND), but 'weaknesses in delivery' means some do not learn successfully.

The report says  says expectations of pupils learning is not high enough and they don't achieve as well as they should.

Some do not behave well in lessons, and some use discriminatory language, which disrupts learning.

There are some areas where improvement has not been as rapid as it could be, and the school should "ensure that it has robust processes in place to accurately identify and address weaknesses in all aspects of its provision."

Principal John Bates, who is in his second year of headship at the school, said: “While we are pleased that the inspection team recognised improvements, we acknowledge that there are still areas that we continue to develop and improve. These include continuing to develop consistency in the way our curriculum is delivered and assessed and continuing our relentless focus on our improvement priorities.

“I am looking forward to working with our students and their families, as we build on the positives from this report and the improvements we have made, to pursue our aim of being the best school for the young people in this community.”

The school converted to an academy in 2016 and is now part of the Pendle Education Trust.