The headteacher of a school which has been place into 'requires improvement' category by the education watchdog said that measures have been put in place to raise standards.

Smithills School has lost its overall good rating after an Ofsted inspection.

The head Carolyn Dewse said that Ofsted inspectors recognised many positives  in the school which made it " a special place to learn and work".  

Inspectors found that personal development and behaviour and attitudes of pupils was good, but that the quality of education and leadership and management requires improvement.

Ofsted gave the school an overall requires improvement rating.

Inspectors found that most pupils are happy to attend Smithills School and the school has 'increasingly high aspirations for pupils' achievement.

Ofsted reported: "It recognises that, over time, outcomes for some pupils have not been strong. To address this, the school has made recent changes to the curriculum to better support pupils’ learning.

"However, many of these changes are in the early stages of implementation. This means that, due to gaps in knowledge, some older pupils do not achieve as well as they should."

Young people were found to benefit from a wide array of enrichment activities "that enable them to develop new skills and to make new friends".

Inspectors said that school leadership, including at trust level, has recently been through a "period of considerable change".

The report stated: "The current board of trustees has strong accountability systems that help them to know the school well. Trustees are providing effective support to assist the school to identify and address the weaknesses in provision that have hindered pupils’ achievement in the past.

"However, it is too early to see the full impact of the school’s actions on improving the quality of education for pupils."

The school was said to have "rigorous systems to identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)".

Inspectors said that changes have been made to "ensure that pupils are better prepared for their next steps beyond high school"

Teachers were typically said to have strong subject knowledge but that in many subjects, the school’s assessment systems are underdeveloped.

Inspectors reported: "Staff quickly challenge any poor behaviour so that disruption to learning is minimised. As a result, classrooms are calm and purposeful learning environments."

They added :Most staff feel happy and proud to work at Smithills School. Leaders at all levels carefully consider the impact of any changes that they make to school systems which may affect the workload and well-being of staff."

The school was praised for it work to develop pupils understanding on finance, diversity and how to develop healthy relationships.

Inspectors reported: "The school has designed a rich and varied careers programme, which helps pupils to make well-informed choices about their futures."

Headteacher Miss Dewse said: "We are extremely proud that during the recent inspection Ofsted highlighted many aspects of our school that make it such a special place to learn and work.  

"Smithills School is welcoming, inclusive and has high aspirations for all pupils, we firmly believe in our vision of ‘Success for All.’  

All pupils have access to a broad range of activities, an ambitious curriculum  and teachers who have strong subject knowledge.

"Our pupils have positive attitudes to learning and as a result our ‘classrooms are calm and purposeful learning environments.’  

"Our Personal Development curriculum is one of the strengths of the school and we have designed a ‘rich and varied careers programme, which helps pupils to make well-informed choices about their future.’  

"Ofsted acknowledged the changes we have made to strengthen the curriculum, the learning that is taking place and how we can best support pupils, which demonstrates the measures we have already put in place to raise standards and improve outcomes.

"We are on the right track which is testament to the hard work and dedication of all staff.   

"As I approach the end of my first half term as headteacher, I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from staff, pupils and parents and I’m pleased to reiterate what Ofsted said; staff and pupils feel happy and proud to work and learn at Smithills School. 

"If you would like to see first-hand what makes Smithills School so special and the wonderful work that is happening please get in touch to arrange a visit."