Bispham high school '˜still needs to improve'

The school was pulled out of special measures in 2016, when the education watchdog said it was heading in the right direction.

But it faced several criticisms after its last visit in March, with a report published online this week saying: “Leaders, including those of the Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT), do not provide a good quality of education...”

Exam results last year were below the national average, especially for boys, Ofsted said, while the quality of teaching was labelled ‘inconsistent’, especially in maths.

Teachers don’t always set pupils work matching their ability, while children’s attitudes to learning is ‘variable’, with a minority disrupting classes. Attendance is improving but still below national average.

The school did show several strengths, however.

Senior teachers, including those at FCAT, showed the capacity to improve, while the overall standard of teaching, especially in English, had already improved, with pupils making better progress.

The curriculum is routinely reviewed, action has been taken to eradicate bullying, and teachers have ‘effectively’ cared for pupils’ ‘emotional well-being’.

Most leavers also go on to further education, work, or training.

Headteacher Stephen Careless, who took the role in 2016, said: “We will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence. We know where we need to make quick progress in our aim to be a consistently good school.

“It is my job over the coming years to ensure the good practice that is clearly highlighted in this report is seen consistently across every aspect of our work.

“We were already aware of the areas that require robust and fast improvement, and I can assure the community we will make it happen.”