A secondary school in Bolton has failed to have its requires improvement tag lifted by Ofsted inspectors.

Bolton St Catherine's Academy in Harwood has been in the Ofsted's 'requires improvement' since 2014.

The headteacher told The Bolton News she accepts the areas highlighted by Ofsted but added that she was disappointed that inspectors had not recognised some of the huge improvements made.

Areas graded good were personal development of pupils and the early years provision.

The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management were found to be in need of improvement.

Inspectors highlighted a number of positives and what the school was doing effectively to overcome challenges to raise standards.

The report stated: "Leaders and staff promote a sense of belonging for pupils at Bolton St Catherine’s Academy. Pupils feel safe. Pupils know who to speak with should they have any concerns."

The school's extra-curricular activities were highlighted.

School leaders are said to have raised their expectations of pupils’ behaviour.

Inspectors stated: "Staff and pupils reported that behaviour is improving. However, a minority of pupils in the secondary school continue to misbehave, both in class and at social times.

"Leaders have introduced many changes that are beginning to have a positive impact on the quality of education that pupils receive, especially in early years and in key stages one and two. However, these improvements are not replicated in the secondary part of the school.

"Some secondary-aged pupils do not achieve well."

Ofsted found that a small minority of pupils do not have the opportunity to study a modern foreign language in key stage 3.

Staff were described as enjoying working at the school.

Inspectors reported: "Trust leaders and local governors know what needs to improve and are already addressing weaknesses in the school’s provision."

Headteacher Rachael Lucas said: “We recognise the areas for development that Ofsted have highlighted.

"However, the first area for improvement only refers to a tiny group of year seven students who do not currently study a modern foreign language.  

“These students are benefitting from extra English and literacy support so that they can make the necessary progress and successfully access the curriculum.

“We feel that this approach puts the needs of our students first.

“Our curriculum is strong, but we will continue to develop the areas outlined which will enable our students to leave school as successful learners not just in their exams, but through the wide range of opportunities we have afforded them.”

Mrs Lucas says that the school always welcomes feedback, however she is disappointed that the report did not recognise some of the “significant improvements” it has made that helped to achieve “the most improved GCSE results in Bolton and the best GCSE results the school has had”.

She says that the school's “innovative approaches” are having a positive impact on the curriculum and the quality of the learning that happens in lessons.

She added: “I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised how safe and happy the students are, how they have a strong sense of belonging, how we provide good opportunities for personal development and how we are continuing to move the school forwards.

“Our early years provision continues to be a strength as does our reading provision in both phases, our support for students with special educational needs and our safeguarding provision.

“We will continue to strive relentlessly to deliver the very best for our students and staff.”

Since its last inspection, the academy has been brought under the Bishop Fraser Trust umbrella.

A Church of England multi-academy trust, Bishop Fraser includes ‘outstanding’ Bolton schools St James C of E High School and Cannon Slade High School, as well as Bury Church of England High School which was rated ‘good’ in 2020.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “As a trust, we carefully scrutinize all aspects of school life in all of our schools and have identified great practice at BSCA and a significant improvement in areas such as personal development, curriculum, teaching and learning under the leadership of Rachael Lucas and her senior leader team.

“We are pleased that the Ofsted report recognised the improvements made since that last inspection and will support the school with further improvements.

“However, we were disappointed that inspectors were not allowed to refer to or comment on this year’s results, especially as the school has made so much progress.

“These results are a clear indication that the school is on the right track.”

In the recent Bolton News Education Awards, three students at BSCA received accolades.

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