Westfield School: Sheffield secondary school has now been rated 'Requires Improvement' or worse for 10 years

However, the latest Ofsted report was not without compliments.

Westfield School, in Eckington Road, recently received its first visit from the education watchdog since converting to an academy. At the time of the switch in late 2018, the Sothall secondary was rated ‘Inadequate’ by inspectors, prompting it to join Chrous Education Trust.

The latest report by Ofsted has handed Westfield a lacklustre ‘Requires Improvement’ rating in all areas, meaning it has not risen to the grade of ‘Good’ for a decade.

The report was not without compliments though, with inspectors writing: “Many pupils enjoy their time at Westfield School. Pupils feel and are kept safe in school. They have adults that they know they can go to should they need to discuss a problem. Most pupils do not feel that bullying is an issue at the school… Leaders are ambitious for pupils. They have put in place a broad and balanced curriculum.”

Ofsted also praised the wide range of extra-curricular activities, the clear “expertise” of some teachers and how leaders were “committed to developing a love of reading”.

However, lapses in the curriculum, weaknesses in how leaders evaluate themselves, and particularly the behaviour of some pupils, all sought to weigh the inspection rating down.

The report reads: “Most pupils behave well in lessons. However, some pupils’ conduct on corridors and during social times is boisterous, disrespectful and not good enough.

“During social times, the behaviour of some pupils is disrespectful and anti-social. This also affects pupils’ punctuality to lessons, with too many pupils displaying poor attitudes towards leaders’ expectations. Behaviour is better in lessons and learning is rarely disrupted.

“Leaders have identified the right priorities for the school. However, some leaders do not analyse and evaluate the actions they take to improve the school effectively. This makes it difficult for them to identify their next steps.”

Westfield was rated ‘Requires Improvement’ in all areas. While an improvement from its grade of ‘Inadequate’ prior to academisation, it marks a decade without seeing the site rise to the level of ‘Good’.

Joe Birkbeck, head of Westfield School, said: “We are pleased with the many positive aspects of our school that were highlighted by the Ofsted inspection. It was obvious to the inspection team that we are ambitious for our students who feel, and are, safe at Westfield School. Ofsted found that we offer a broad and balanced curriculum that is delivered in lessons that are rarely disrupted as students behave well.

“The school has already started the journey of improvement, resulting in an improved rating in this most recent inspection. Our priorities for further improvement have been sharpened by the feedback from Ofsted. Consequently, work is already underway to ensure our curriculum is equally well-designed across all subjects; to implement systems and a curriculum – including the personal development curriculum - to ensure all students meet our high expectations, and to enable all leaders to check the impact of their work rigorously.

“[We] already have plans in place to ensure that everything we do helps to make our school a more successful, respectful, safe and happy place.”