A SCHOOL facing closure has been praised for the action it has taken since it received an inadequate Ofsted report rating.

The inspection in October was the first monitoring inspection since Wennington Hall School, Lancaster, was judged to have ‘serious weaknesses’ in July 2019.

In the report the inspector said: “Leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action towards the removal of the serious weaknesses designation. The local authority's statement of action is fit for purpose. The school's improvement plan is fit for purpose.”

According to the report a consultation is taking place about plans to close the school by the end of the academic year.

And while the number of pupils is reducing as staff identify places at other schools that are suitable for pupils to move to, the school was praised for adapting the curriculum to enable pupils to catch up with learning lost during periods when Covid restrictions were in place.

The inspector said action was being taken to improve the quality of education in the school and that staff were working to meet pupils’ special educational needs, and increased support and training for staff is beginning to have a positive effect’.

The report stated: “Leaders are now establishing a more coherent curriculum. They are also providing training and support to improve the way in which staff teach subjects.

“For example, teachers are starting to check more effectively that pupils understand what they learn. The curriculum is becoming broader and more ambitious. Leaders are working with increasing success to meet pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

According to the inspector the English curriculum is improving, while Mathematics has ‘improved considerably, although, in subjects such as history and geography, the curriculum ‘lacks the necessary learning content and the sequence in which it will be taught’ because leaders have not begun their planned improvements to the subjects.

On safeguarding, which inspectors found concerns with ‘during the additional monitoring inspection conducted in March 2021,’ the inspector said: “Leaders now ensure that they manage pupils’ safety and welfare properly. Improved supervision of pupils by staff is in place throughout the day. There is a detailed risk assessment for each pupil.

“This identifies potential hazards and risks related to the pupil’s needs and contains suitable measures to manage them. Leaders have rigorous systems in place to report concerns about pupils. Leaders are prompt in responding. They contact outside services, such as social care, as needed.”