A HEADTEACHER is determined the future remains bright despite being 'disappointed' to see his school has been told it must improve by an education watchdog.

Mount Carmel RC High School in Accrington has been told it ‘requires improvement’ in its latest Ofsted report for the second consecutive inspection.

The school was told it needs to improve in three out of the four sections it was marked on, including 'outcomes for pupils' and 'effectiveness of leadership and management'.

However the school was rated ‘good’ for its personal development, behaviour and welfare.

Xavier Bowers, headteacher at the Wordsworth Road school, said: "The overall effectiveness of our school was disappointingly judged as ‘requiring improvement’, due to the school not currently demonstrating enough evidence that it is rapidly improving attainment and progress.

"We are determined to continue the good work across the school and are confident we can build upon the significant improvements that we have made and that Ofsted have recognised in the report.

"We are fully committed to ensuring that current good practice and good outcomes that are clearly evident in many subjects will be in place in all areas as soon as practically possible."

Prior to the two recent ‘requires improvement’ ratings the school had been rated ‘good’ by the education watchdog.

A report, conducted by lead inspector Nell Banfield, noted the changes in school staff in recent years have had an impact.

It was also noted that in 2017 improvements were made to the progress of leavers, although not enough to receive a higher grading.

Mr Banfield said: "Leaders’ actions to improve the quality of education have not had enough impact.

"Very high levels of staff turnover have slowed the pace of improvements since the last inspection.

"Disadvantaged pupils do not achieve as well as they should.

"Recent actions are beginning are beginning to bring about the necessary improvements."

To improve in the future inspectors said the school's teachers should promote pupils’ numeracy and literacy skills across the curriculum and ensure that the progress made by pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities improves quickly.

The school has also been encouraged to build on recent changes to staff to ensure 'sustainable improvements' in teaching and pupils’ progress.

However the school was praised in the inspection for its ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum, alongside other factors.

Headteacher Mr Bowers was commended for making effective decisions which ‘are leading to improved teaching and pupils’ outcomes’.

Mr Banfield also said pupils behaviour is good and the vast majority of pupils work well together and are prepared for life in modern Britain.

Mr Bowers said he was pleased to see the number of positives inspector praised the school for.

He said: "We are extremely pleased to maintain our good judgement for; personal development, behaviour and welfare and the report highlights many strengths of the school that ensure that all pupils are well cared for and looked after.

"We are also proud that the report recognises the strong culture of mutual respect that permeates the school and reflects the hard work to ensure continual social cohesion throughout the school."

The school has 725 pupils on its role and according to Ofsted is a smaller than average-sized 11-to-16 voluntary-aided comprehensive school.

The inspection was carried out on November 7 and 8 and a further visit was carried out on December 14 2017.