STAFF and students at Bedale High School are working hard to improve after being told by Ofsted it required improvement.

The school was criticised by Ofsted at a recent inspection, and said it needed to improve in effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare and outcomes for pupils.

But the school has hit back, saying it has achieved improved GCSE results over the over the last two years and the new headteacher has raised expectations and standards of accountability, according to inspectors.

Ofsted praised headteacher Sian Rees for her focus for raising attainment, especially for boys, pupils who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs.

Ofsted also praised improvements in the teaching of English and science where “high expectations, effective teaching and assessment are contributing to improving rates of pupils’ progress”. An increasing proportion of pupils are now following more academic routes in science and teaching in French is also strong.

Leaders are commended for implementing a curriculum that reflects pupils’ needs as well as effective alternative provision to help pupils reach their desired destinations. Bedale High has gone through a recent period of great change after the school’s previous headteacher stepped down at the beginning of this year due to ill health. Ms Rees said the school is aware of its weaknesses and is already addressing them.

“There is no complacency at Bedale High School,” said county councillor Arthur Barker. “Bedale has a highly committed and focused leadership team which is driving improvement. Improved GCSE results over the last two years reflect rising expectations within the school and the headteacher and governors have lost no time in carrying out their current action plan.

“The school has gone through a period of great change and it is a testament to the very good partnership with students, the local authority and with parents and the value that parents place on the work of the school, that the leadership team has been able to steer a steady path through this change.

”We are confident that the good work will continue and that Bedale High is on course, with the support of governors and the local authority, towards ensuring the authority’s ambition that all children in North Yorkshire should attend a good or outstanding school.”