ATTENDANCE has increased at a Herefordshire secondary school, since it put strategies in place to reduce absence, a recent Ofsted inspection revealed.

Earl Mortimer College in Leominster was judged 'good' in all categories in its first routine inspection since the pandemic began.

Quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management were all rated 'good', as they were in the school's previous inspection.

It was noted that "there is an atmosphere of mutual respect around the school. This is supported by pupils spending time with peers from all year groups during tutor times," and "pupils like taking part in a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities."

The school was seen to be doing well in their work with pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

"Leaders identify their specific needs and provide staff with effective strategies to support them in lessons," inspectors said.

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"Some of these approaches also help other pupils to learn more easily. The weakest readers receive intensive intervention that helps them become more fluent readers."

Concluding with areas that could be improved, the inspectors observed that 'effective and consistent behaviour management should be improved through ensuring that behaviour policy is well understood and consistently applied by all staff.

The report also said that 'leaders should ensure that there is consistency in the quality of the curriculum implementation across all subjects so that pupils can enjoy their learning and achieve success."