Ofsted says Pershore High School requires improvement

But headteacher Andrew Nockton says changes are already having an impact and is upbeat about the school's future.

A report published on April 29 says some pupils at Pershore High School “do not progress as well as they could” because teaching is not always adapted well to suit their needs.

Inspectors say most pupils value their education and want to do well, but “the curriculum is still being developed” so many pupils “do not develop their knowledge well over time”.

Ofsted says the school has been on a journey of improvement and has recently introduced changes to the curriculum in some subjects, which are starting to have a positive impact.

“Pupils at Pershore High School are kind and demonstrate an eagerness to learn in lessons,” the report says.

“Their behaviour around the school and in lessons is calm and orderly.

“Pupils move around the school sensibly, following clear routines and expectations. Pupils and staff appreciate the recent changes to the behaviour policy.”

The school was graded as good in three categories: behaviour and attitudes, personal development. But inspectors decided it required improvement in the areas of leadership and management, and quality of education, leading to the overall grade.

Ofsted says too often, staff do not adapt the teaching to meet the needs of all pupils.

“This means pupils with SEND, those who are disadvantaged, and high and low prior attainers do not make the progress they are capable of.”

The report says suspensions often don’t have the desired impact, so the behaviour of a “significant minority” of pupils is not improving because the root cause for that behaviour is not being tackled.

Mr Nockton said: "We are obviously disappointed with the grading from our recent Ofsted inspection, for all members of our school community.

"The students worked hard to present the best of themselves, and the school, during the inspection. The report has recognised many positive aspects and some of its gradings are testament to everyone’s efforts.

Mr Nockton said not everything the school does well is included in the report, naming "positive academic outcomes, high quality pastoral care and extensive extra-curricular opportunities".

"The report has recognised some areas in which we need to improve further, and we are fully committed to addressing these," he said. "We know what the school needs to do to be better and the changes we have already made are starting to have a positive impact.

"The students’ well-being, academic progress and development as young people are always our top priorities.

"We are very positive about our school and have every confidence in our staff and students; we look forward to the next Ofsted inspection as an opportunity to demonstrate that we are the good school we know we are."