A RECENT Ofsted inspection has branded a secondary school in Carlisle as 'requiring improvement'. 

Richard Rose Morton Academy, on Wigton Road, was inspected by the regulator on November 15, 2022 - and the school's previous rating of 'good' back in 2017 has now been replaced.

A spokesperson from United Learning, a multi-academy trust across England responsible for the school, said they are 'confident' they will be able to quickly address the situation.

The Ofsted report criticised the school by saying it 'requires improvement' when it comes to the quality of education being provided, as well as the school's 'leadership and management'.

The report indicated that the delivery of curricula across subjects varies, meaning learning over time is uneven and pupils do not achieve as well as they should.

"Some teachers do not use assessment strategies well enough to check on pupils’ learning. This means that pupils are not supported to overcome misconceptions or gaps in their learning," the report reads.

"Leaders have not made sure that staff have sufficient expertise to identify and then rectify the gaps in pupils’ reading knowledge".

Positively however, the report praised the school for behaviour and attitudes and students' personal development.

The report also praised the school for the way subject curricula are designed and their role in identifying special educational needs and disabilities of the students.

A spokesperson for United Learning said: "Ofsted found much to praise across the academy, including the ethos of high expectations, collective sense of community and strength of relationships between students and staff.

"As the inspectors’ report highlights, this ensures that students feel safe and supported, enjoy their learning and play an active role in school life.

"Where there is improvement needed, however, in some aspects of teaching and learning, leaders are already fully aware and putting in place what is needed. We are confident that this will quickly address the areas highlighted by Ofsted to ensure consistency across the full breadth of the curriculum.”

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