INSPECTORS have recognised improvements made at a secondary school but say there is still room for progress.

Sutton Academy was rated as 'requires improvement', the same grading it received on its previous Ofsted inspection in 2015.

Ofsted inspectors noted that recent improvements in teaching and changes to the curriculum are "beginning to accelerate pupils’ progress" at the school but added "for current pupils, progress is not consistently good, particularly in science".

The school's leadership and the quality of teaching were found to need improvement, as well as the school's 16 to 19 study programme and outcomes for pupils. However, pupils' personal development and behaviour was praised as 'good'.

Inspectors said in 2015 and 2016 "pupils’ progress and attainment were significantly below the national average" and pupils "currently in the school do not make enough good progress from their various starting points".

The school's teaching was said to be "although improving, is not yet securing consistently good progress".

They noted not all teachers "take enough account of what pupils already know" and "either give all pupils in the class the same work, which is either too easy or too hard for some of them, or they fail to encourage pupils to challenge themselves".

They added while teachers’ support for less-able pupils in lessons is "effective", strategies used "are not doing enough to stretch the most able".

Inspectors noted leadership and management require improvement because actions since the last inspection "have not yet had a sufficiently positive impact on teaching".

It was acknowledged that principal Alison Sherman has, since being appointed in 2014, "developed a culture of school improvement" and there had been a substantial staff turnover and restructure of the school's leadership team.

In terms of outcomes for pupils it was found year 11 pupils "made significantly less progress" in a range of subjects, including in English and maths, than others nationally.

Progress of the most able students "is not good enough in a number of subjects" and for disadvantaged pupils "is not consistently good".

Numeracy was found to to be "insufficiently developed" at the school.

In the 16 to 19 programme quality of teaching was "not consistently good" with A level results in 2016 "weaker than expected".

Pupils' behaviour was deemed "good" and attendance was noted to have "improved steadily over the past two years".

Principal Alison Sherman said: "The Ofsted inspection team clearly recognised the improvement journey that The Sutton Academy is on.

"The overall judgement of ‘Requires Improvement’ is a fair reflection due to our historical outcomes.

"We do recognise the need to further raise attainment and improve outcomes and as the report states ‘Leaders and staff at all levels are committed to the vision of high expectations and aspirations for all students’.

"A high priority has already been placed on improving teaching and opportunities for staff to share good practice have been expanded through partnership work with an ‘outstanding’ Teaching School.

"The improvements that are now embedded are strengthening teaching and accelerating students’ progress and I am confident that improved outcomes will follow."