AN Ofsted inspector said “effective action” is being taken to improve a Worcester secondary school.

Newbridge Short Stay School, in Midland Road, was rated as inadequate at its last full Ofsted inspection in May 2017.

A monitoring report recently published by Ofsted said that the leadership team is working towards the removal of special measures.

Inspector Deb Jenkins visited the school on April 18 and 19.

In the report, she said: “Teachers now have clearly defined expectations, based on the teacher standards, and information collected by leaders shows an improving picture of teaching and learning.

“However, leaders recognise that the quality of teaching is not yet consistently strong.

“It is evident that progress has been made since the last inspection but, due to the very low starting points, there is still some way to go.

“An external review of governance took place in November 2017. The trust had already reviewed their model of governance prior to this, as they recognised that governance arrangements at Newbridge were not fit for purpose.

“The governing body has now been strengthened by governors from within the trust and newly appointed members.

“Minutes from governing body meetings show that governors recognise that they require additional training.

“Evidence collected over two terms shows that pupils’ rates of progress are improving over time.

“Some pupils are taking pride in their work and some work in books is well presented. In some lessons, pupils disturb the learning of others through low-level disruptive behaviour, 8 such as swearing, antagonising comments and refusal to work.

“In 2017, pupils’ outcomes were poor. Pupils left the school with either few or no qualifications.

However, 2018 is likely to be an improving picture, with all pupils entered for GCSEs in English and mathematics, preparing them more effectively for the next stage in their learning. However, opportunities for pupils to gain wider accreditation need to improve with urgency.”

During the week of the inspection, scrutiny of attendance registers showed that only half of the pupils attending that week were expected to be in school on a full-time basis.

The inspector added: “The appointment of an attendance officer is beginning to make a difference to some pupils’ attendance. The school has now employed a minibus driver who will collect some pupils at the beginning of the day if they have not arrived at school.”

James Laidler, headteacher of Newbridge Short Stay School, said: “We are pleased the report recognises that we have made progress in all areas.

“We are really pleased our new curriculum is meeting the needs of our students now, our attendance is rising as a result.

“We have still got a lot of work to do and we know that but we’re confident about the future.

“Hopefully the future of Newbridge is much brighter than it was in recent years.”