AN Eden secondary school has had its third consecutive “requires improvement” inspection report.

In three reports on Appleby Grammar School since December 2013, Ofsted inspectors have come to the same conclusion.

Inspectors who visited the 465 pupil school over two days in June rated its effectiveness of leadership and management; personal development, behaviour and welfare and 16 to 19 study programmes as ‘good’.

The other inspection areas of quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils were found to be requiring improvement.

On the four-point scale of conclusions available to inspectors, the ruling is the third lowest option. The other finds are outstanding, good or inadequate.

Head teacher Andrew Lund said: “In the weeks and months to come, school leaders and governors will work tirelessly to ensure that the necessary improvements are made so that the school is judged ‘good’ for overall effectiveness at its next inspection.”

While there has been no change to the school’s overall judgement, the report recognises the improvements to the school which have taken place since the last inspection in May 2016.

“The standard of education has improved since the last inspection,” note the inspectors.

“However, the quality of teaching remains variable and not enough has been done to address the gaps in pupils’ learning caused by weaknesses in teaching over time.”

Inspectors also found that Year 11 pupils did not perform well in recent public exams, with results falling below government standards.

Teaching and assessment was found to be inconsistent, and teachers were found not to have high enough expectations of pupils’ handwriting, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Inspectors said the school needed to improve the outcomes for all groups of pupils, particularly the disadvantaged and those with low prior attainment.

However, a number of positive comments were made about the school.

“The capacity of the senior team to bring about improvement has been strengthened,” said inspectors. “Leaders and governors have developed a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses.

“They have appropriate plans in place to improve the school further.”

Particular praise was given to the school’s sixth form provision, the behaviour of pupils and the ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum.