A previously outstanding school remains in special measures after being rated inadequate, despite making ‘some improvements’.

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School dropped from the best rating to the very lowest by Ofsted last June, with inspectors saying that children feel ‘unsafe’ and that ‘harmful sexual behaviour’ goes unchallenged during an inspection.

A monitoring visit conducted by the inspectorate on January 12 found the school had made improvements, but it ‘remains inadequate and requires special measures’, with inspectors adding ‘more work is necessary for the category of concern to be removed’.

Headteacher James Johnstone said: "We are pleased that Ofsted has acknowledged that school leaders have taken ‘swift, effective and strategic action’, that safeguarding is our ‘top priority’ and that there is a ‘strong trajectory of improvement’.

"We are continuing to work hard every day to make sure that our students receive a high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment, and we wish to thank our students and their families for their valued support.

"We recognise that there is still a great deal of work to do and remain passionately committed to getting things right for our young people and our community. We have every confidence that our improvement journey will continue at pace to secure the strong foundations necessary for every student to flourish."

The inspectors said the school must secure strong leadership of the sixth form and ensure staff across all subject areas are fully equipped to support SEND pupils.

In the June inspection, Ofsted highlighted many pupils, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community felt 'unsafe at school', but in the follow-up visit, inspectors said the ‘toxic culture of intolerance’ has been addressed.

The report reads: “You are rapidly unravelling the toxic culture of intolerance to the difference that was identified at the last inspection.

“You are educating pupils about tolerance and respect for all.

“For example, you are focusing on increased support for ethnic minority groups.

“You are also helping pupils to understand and accept different religions, societies and values.

“Consequently, pupils are more comfortable in reporting inappropriate behaviours, including potentially harmful sexual behaviours.

“As a result, there has been a spike in the number of pupils who have received suspensions.”

To help ‘unravel the culture’ a ‘comprehensive personal development programme’ to address gaps in pupils knowledge about equality and sex education has begun.

The report added: “A group of staff have been trained to deliver this programme well. Pupils in Years 7 to 11 are valuing these lessons.

“Moreover, you have introduced a student council and well-being ambassadors in each year group and ensured that the structured form time programme teaches pupils about citizenship and British values.

“This is helping to galvanise the school community.”

As well as this, staffing supervision in areas where pupils said they felt ‘vulnerable’ has been increased.

New leadership, including two new deputy headteachers, a designated safeguarding lead, a chair of governors, and new pastoral leaders have been hired to help with the improvements.

Following the inspection last year, the school was told it could lose funding from the Department for Education if it does not improve.