A north Cumbrian school has been praised by Ofsted.
William Howard School, in Brampton, was visited by inspectors from the education watchdog last month.
Its report said the school, part of Cumbria Education Trust, had taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection, where it was rated as good overall.
They said the school provided an ambitious curriculum and has a rigorous process for identifying any special educational needs pupils may have.
The report added: “The school has strengthened its approach to identifying and supporting any pupils who struggle with reading.
“The school has high expectations of pupils’ achievement. A strengthened curriculum, coupled with the school’s successful work to raise pupils’ aspirations, has helped to rapidly increase the number of pupils who meet these expectations.”
The school’s leaders have successfully created a school that pupils want to attend, the report added, and they quickly develop a strong feeling of belonging, the report said.
It added: “The calm and purposeful learning environment, together with the plethora of extra-curricular opportunities, has helped to achieve this.
“In addition, the school has taken effective steps to identify and remove any barriers to pupils’ attendance. Consequently, most pupils attend school regularly.”
The report said pupils benefited from the school’s commitment to pairing academic rigour with personal development. They eagerly participate in the vast array of opportunities to discover and nurture new talents and interests.
Inspectors praised the unique culture of the school, shaped by The William Howard Way – a shared set of values that underpin everything from classroom learning to wider school life.
However, inspectors said that in a few subjects, the school has not ensured that staff have clarity about the most important knowledge that pupils should know and remember over time.
It added: “This makes it difficult for teachers in these subjects to emphasise this information, including during recall activities and assessment. The school should provide clarity around the knowledge that pupils should acquire in each subject so that teachers can better support pupils to build rich bodies of knowledge over time.”
The school’s approach to supporting some pupils in Key Stage 4 who find reading more difficult is undeveloped.
It added: “Consequently, a small number of older pupils do not receive effective help in a timely way. The school should ensure that appropriate support is in place for these pupils so that they learn to read well.”
Headteacher Kath Pigdon said: “This report captures the heart and soul of William Howard School.
“It’s a powerful reflection of a school where aspiration, character, and care are woven into every aspect of daily life. We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and wider community.”
