A SCHOOL has received a mixed report from education watchdogs after an inspection visit.
Mexborough School was described as improving - but teaching and behaviour of pupils came under fire following the visit by Ofsted.
The report praised the school for improving rapidly - but still found faults within the classrooms.
Inspectors visited the secondary school in November and found it had improved from last year’s rating of ‘inadequate’.
But the inspection report stated that the school still ‘requires improvement’ - particularly in its exam results.
It was not judged ‘good’ because GCSE grades are still below average, but they are improving rapidly and closing the gap, according to the report.
It added that although progress is accelerating, some groups of pupils are still not making fast enough progress and examples included disabled pupils and those with special educational needs progressing slowly in maths.
The report found teaching is not consistently good, too many teachers expect students of all abilities to complete the same work, and written feedback given to students does not always tell them how to improve.
Students do not always act responsibly or show sufficient consideration for each other while some do not attend school regularly enough, the inspection report also stated.
Sixth form examination results are not showing sustained improvement – they are up and down. In some years, results are not good enough, given the students’ GCSE results, whereas in other years they are better.
Headteacher Mirjam Buhler-Willey and her management team were commended - the headteacher had very ambitious plans for the school, very high expectations and was resolute in her quest to improve the life chances of students. Governance is strong and governors were described as very supportive.
In October, Mexborough School’s governors were handed back control of affairs by Doncaster Council, which will enable plans for it to become an academy in April.
The local authority stripped governors of their powers in March 2011 when the school was placed into special measures, following a damning Ofsted report.
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