A LARGE secondary school has "made progress to improve" but suspensions remain "stubbornly high". 

That's according to Ofsted inspectors who conducted a monitoring visit at Beckfoot Oakbank, on Oakworth Road, Keighley, last month. 

The school - which provides education for 1,568 students - was rated 'inadequate' back in November 2022.

A second monitoring visit since that inspection was carried out on December 15. 

A report said: "Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to be no longer judged as having serious weaknesses."

The inspector reviewed the school's action plans, visited lessons, spoke to pupils, and discussed progress with trustees and school leaders.

The report said: "Suspensions remain stubbornly high and have recently increased.

"You had predicted this increase would happen due to the higher expectations staff have of behaviour and the more demanding curriculum now in place.

"You offer a range of support, including through external agencies, to help pupils learn better behaviour and gain confidence."

It added: "Some pupils feel more positive about the school than they did at the previous visit.

"However, there is still work to do to make sure that a more positive culture grows and becomes sustainable."

Inspectors said pupils understand the behaviour system well and value the rewards they receive.

The report said improvements are being made across the school. In particular, it referenced several new staff, including members of the leadership team who joined in September.

Inspectors said “the new leaders are providing highly effective support to improve the school, especially in core subjects". 

There is a “robust” system in place to encourage pupils to come to school each day, and attendance is also "beginning to slowly improve".

A spokesperson for the school said: "The school community, supported by the Trust, remain committed to ensuring that Beckfoot Oakbank becomes a Good school and will continue to work hard to achieve this."

Liz Hart, headteacher of Beckfoot Oakbank, added: “We are pleased to see that Ofsted saw that the robust school improvement plan that is in place is advancing the quality of education at the school.

"I would like to thank all those across the school community for their continued support and enthusiasm for the work being undertaken to drive forward improvements.

"We will continue to do whatever it takes to live our values so that students have every opportunity to enjoy, learn and succeed.”