AN OFSTED monitoring report has confirmed "considerable change" at St Augustine's Catholic High School, one year on from it being placed in special measures.

In February 2018, the Boardmans Lane school given the lowest rating in all four categories: leadership; teaching; personal development and outcomes for pupils after the inspection.

Among criticisms inspectors had made were the school's progress in Key Stage 4 for English, maths and science, described as "among the worst seen across the whole country" with leadership of the school described as "fragile".

However, since then the school has been put under the temporary charge of Tim Alderman, as an interim headteacher.

Previous head teacher Mark Hagan resigned following the critical report's publication.

A new board of governors has also been instated.

The new monitoring report, which was published last week, states that: "Since the previous inspection there has been considerable change at the school.

"The previous headteacher and the two deputy headteachers left the school towards the end of the academic year in which the last inspection took place.

"Leaders have taken significant strides towards overcoming some of the very significant challenges identified at the last inspection.

"New interim leaders have provided the school with clear direction, following a period of alarming decline.

"Through their careful management, substantial improvements have been made to the school’s ethos, pupils’ behaviour and teaching, particularly in English and mathematics.

"This has led to improved morale throughout the school.

"Staff had become worn down by the school’s ethos and pupils’ behaviour. They described how an ‘us and them’ culture had developed between staff and pupils.

"Staff value the changes that have been made and greatly appreciate the renewed focus on building positive and respectful relationships with pupils."

The board of trustees at the school said they felt the report was a "welcome confirmation of positive progress".

Chairman of Governors at the school, Ann Moore, said: "There is still at long way to go if the school is to achieve a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating when the school will be re-inspected in twelve months time, but we are pleased that all the hard work of staff and pupils has been recognised.

"I would like to particularly thank parents for their commitment and support for the school and emphasise that everyone at St Augustine’s will continue to work tirelessly to build on the improvements put into place by the interim headship team."