A SECONDARY school is feeling hopeful despite a 'requiring improvement' rating by Ofsted inspectors.

Greenfield Community College which has sites in Newton Aycliffe and Shildon, was visited by Ofsted inspectors earlier this year.

The body found that some teachers are more skilled and ambitious for their pupils than others and better at dealing with low-level disruption.

In the report published last month, the watchdog inspector, said: "The leaders of the school want the pupils to achieve as well as they can. However, this is dependent on which teachers pupils get."

The report also identified the school's strengths including the supportive staff and good behaviour.

It said: "There is a family feeling about this school. It has a warmth and a friendliness to it.

"Across both the Newton Aycliffe and Shildon sites, the school is calm and has a peaceful atmosphere. Pupils feel well supported by staff, especially by the ‘Progress and Guidance’ team. Pupils are not worried about bullying at school. They know that it occasionally happens, but the school takes it seriously and steps in to stop it. Pupils seem happy at school and told inspectors that they feel safe."

Despite the overall rating, executive headteacher, David Priestley, was pleased to see positive comments and also recognised the need for continual improvement.

He said: “We are working to build upon positive changes to our curriculum to provide the very best for our students and to support their experience as self-led learners.

"More and more students are nurturing a love of reading which will allow them to access a wide range of opportunities. We are currently developing learning strategies to support a smooth transition from key stage three to four and beyond allowing all students to reach their potential and be ready for their next steps.”

Greenfield Community College will be inspected again within two years by Ofsted to ensure that any issues raised in the report have been addressed.