Keighley’s Oakbank School has been issued with a notice to improve after being criticised by Government inspectors.

The overall effectiveness of the 1,809-pupil school was graded inadequate by the inspection team.

The Ofsted team said the achievements of pupils were also inadequate, particularly in maths.

In most other areas, including sixth form, teaching and management, Oakbank was classed as satisfactory.

The report, prepared after a two-day visit in January, concluded that most students were now making satisfactory progress.

But it stated: “Significant improve-ment is required in relation to students’ achievement. Too many students leave school without suitable GCSE or alternative qualifications in English and mathematics.”

The Ofsted report used a four-tier system to rate performance, with grade 1 representing outstanding and grade 4 inadequate.

Grade 3s were awarded for quality of teaching, effectiveness of leadership and management, effectiveness of sixth form and capacity for sustained improvement.

The school’s only good grade was given for the extent to which pupils adopted a healthy lifestyle.

Inspectors called for action to raise achievement and improve standards in English and mathematics, improve teaching and learning and sharpen systems for assessing pupils.

Despite their concerns inspectors said students were mostly positive about their school experiences, feeling safe and secure.

Inspectors also cited recent improvements including better attendance, rigorous monitoring of teaching and improved behaviour.

Chris Thompson, the Oakbank head, yesterday said he believed the report was a fair one “under the new framework”.

He focused on areas where the inspectors gave praise, including sixth form, partnerships with other schools, varied curriculum, attendance, sport and the school’s community.

He said: “We are focusing on improving the progress of middle to lower ability students. We continue to work on gaining examination recognition for all students and our point score has risen significantly to be in line with the national average. We are very pleased with the feedback from the parental survey.”