A HEADTEACHER has spoken of the significant demands placed on schools by Ofsted after his was downgraded.

St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington was rated ‘good’ following an inspection last month. In 2011 it was rated ‘outstanding’.

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Inspectors praised the headteacher, senior leaders and governors and highlighted the ‘exemplary conduct of pupils in lessons’ as well as good teaching which has led to ‘consistent improvements in pupils’ attainment’. It was rated ‘outstanding’ for personal development, behaviour and welfare.

The Queens Road West school’s sixth form, which has been open for five years, was also given an ‘outstanding’ judgement.

Lead inspector Will Smith said: “Leaders have created an ambitious culture. Pupils are expected to become the best they can be, both academically and socially.”

He said clear monitoring systems and curriculum reviews have ‘enabled leaders to improve teaching significantly’.

“Leaders provide pupils with a broad and balanced academic curriculum that serves its pupils well,” he said.

Inspectors highlighted the strong attainment of pupils after the proportion gaining five or more GCSE grades A* to C increased by almost a fifth over three years meaning they are ‘significantly’ above the national average.

However Mr Smith said: “The most able pupils have not made rapid progress in recent years.

“Although there are signs that this is changing, not all teachers have high enough expectations of what the most able are capable of achieving.”

He said in recent years pupils have not made fast enough progress in maths and languages.

Mr Jones said: “In terms of the framework, it has changed significantly between 2011 and 2016. It is really pertinent.

“More than 90 per cent of ‘outstanding’ schools that are inspected under the new framework see a fall which is an indication of how onerous it is.”

The school, which has 1,307 pupils on the role, was recently rated ‘outstanding’ after a SIAMS inspection which focuses on how it operates as a ‘Church of England’ school.

Mr Jones said: “Taken together these inspection reports provide a very positive and helpful evaluation of our Church school.

“They describe a school which I recognise and am proud to lead.

“I am grateful to staff, parents and pupils for working together to ensure that St Christopher’s continues as a highly impressive educational community.”