A FAILING school has been praised for moving in the right direction but more work is needed to be done.

St Gregory’s High School, which was placed in special measures following a critical inspection by Ofsted in December, dropped from the highest rating available to inspectors to the lowest.

But in a report published today, Thursday, the school on Cromwell Avenue was commended for the progress it has made following a recent monitoring inspection. 

It was stated the school is now 'committed to making rapid improvements'.

Sarah Callaghan, the council’s operational director of children’s and young people’s universal services, said: “The inspector’s report makes it clear that the new temporary governing body is made up of people who are highly experienced in school improvement, safeguarding and finance, who are clear about what the school needs to do to improve.”

Inspectors, who visited the school on April 2, highlighted the changes to the governing body, which has enabled them to ‘both support, and challenge the work of senior and middle leaders’.

Since the school was scrutinised by Ofsted, senior leaders have also produced a detailed improvement plan.

The school has been analysing data and finding ways to improve teaching in order to speed-up the progress of underachieving groups of students.

But there are more issues that need to be addressed to ensure all students feel valued, happy and safe in school as well as improving culture, ethos and the development of the student voice.

Interim head teacher Andrew Dawson, whose previous school was rated outstanding, said: “The council has ensured a lot of support for the school. 

"We’ve had the benefit of two national leaders of education, one for vulnerable groups and behaviour, and one for teaching and learning.

“We’ve had the support of subject leaders for science and the curriculum, a national leader for governance, a subject leader of education and a business manager from a local outstanding school.

“With all of this plus the support given to us by the Archdiocese of Liverpool and the hard work of staff and students, I’m confident St Gregory’s will make rapid progress against the comprehensive action plans that have been put in place.”