A HIGH school which which was placed in special measures more than a year ago is making ‘reasonable progress’, according to inspectors.

In February 2014, Blackburn’s Our Lady and St John Catholic College was placed in special measures and was found to be ‘inadequate’ on every count, with behaviour cited as a particular concern.

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However, during an inspection late last month, officials stated that students’ behaviour was improving, the quality of teaching was better and more students were making progress.

The North Road, Shadsworth, school has around 850 pupils housed in a purpose-built £10 million Building Schools for the Future campus.

The inspectors in 2014 said that Our Lady was under-performing in relation to the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, as well as leadership and management.

Last February’s inspection also found evidence of an increase in racist incidents, as well as a ‘high number of incidents, including bullying’ and homophobic language.

At the time that the school was placed in special measures, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said it would work alongside the diocese to plan ‘a robust support package around the school to make sure it can deliver the improvements required by Ofsted’.

Reporting on last month’s visit, Ofsted inspector Allan Torr said: “All staff have been trained in how to identify and tackle derogatory language and types of bullying.

“Staff now have the confidence to tackle homophobic language and racism.

“Senior leaders and the school council now need to tackle the large amount of litter left at lunch and break times, punctuality at school and low attendance rates.”

Patrick Murden, head teacher at Our Lady and St John, said of the report: “We’re absolutely delighted at what is a key milestone and validation of the hard work of the staff.

“We have set our sights at becoming an outstanding school and this report recognises that something exciting is happening at Our Lady and St John.”

Our Lady and St John Catholic College is an 11-19 voluntary aided comprehensive school which states that its aim is to provide an environment where boys and girls will be able to develop spiritually, socially, intellectually and physically.

The school states that it aims to be a caring Catholic community, centred on Christ, so as to fully develop the gifts and talents of each person in order to love and serve God, others and themselves.