Work has already begun after a high school has been told to improve by a watchdog.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy was recently inspected by Ofsted on December 14 and 15 where it was rated ‘requires improvement’.

This was the first inspection to take place at the school, on Sudell Road, post-Covid and took place during a period where there had been an increase in Covid and Strep A cases nationally.

Despite the overall judgement of ‘requires improvement’, inspectors rated the sixth form and personal development as ‘good’.

Principal Claire Bailey said: “The inspection took place in the last week of the term under challenging circumstances, we were experiencing the same high levels of absences due to Covid and Strep A as they were nationally.

“l am delighted with how our parent/carer(s), staff, pupils, governors, trustees and central staff all pulled together so that the inspectors could capture all the wonderful things that make DACA the place it is.”

Inspectors said the school is ‘at the heart of its local community where pupils, including in the sixth form, feel safe, happy and well looked after’.

Various areas were identified where the school was told to improve.

Inspectors said that in some subjects, the curriculum should be finalised so that teachers are clear about what they should be teaching and when this content should be taught.

In key stages three and four, some teachers should use assessment strategies consistently well to identify and address the gaps in pupils’ knowledge.

In key stages three and four, the attendance of some pupils particularly disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND should be improved.

In key stage four, pupils who have a gap in their reading knowledge should receive the support they need to catch up.

Inspectors acknowledged that ‘leaders, governors and trustees have acted to strengthen the leadership of the school at every level’ and that ‘leaders are clear about the actions that they need to take to secure further improvements needed’.

Chief Executive Officer for Aldridge Education, Jane Fletcher added: “It was heartening that the inspection team captured the many strengths of the Academy and reflected positively on many aspects of our work.

“We are clear about the work to be done and it is already well underway.”