PARKSIDE School is still in need of across-the-board improvement following its second Ofsted inspection in less than two years.

The Cullingworth secondary school has received the same grade as last time, ‘requires improvement’, in all areas including leadership and management, quality of teaching, sixth form provision, and pupils’ achievement.

Recently-appointed head Andy Taylor accepted the inspectors’ judgement but said he was pleased they had recognised the school was rapidly improving.

The Ofsted team, which carried out the inspection in November last year, highlighted large-scale changes made since its previous visit.

It said: “The changes are improving teaching, and raising achievement in a number of subjects.

“The headteacher, newly-appointed senior leaders and many middle managers have high expectations.”

The inspectors, however, called for improvements to the work of some middle leaders, teachers and teaching assistants.

They also said the sixth form need improvement because teaching was too variable, with low achievement.

Inspectors said the school’s strengths included the calm and orderly behaviour of students, the good arrangements for students’ safety, and the many visits and extra-curricular opportunities.

But they said the proportion of students gaining five or more good GCSE grades, including English and mathematics, was not rising quickly enough.

Progress made by a minority of students in English and mathematics, especially boys, disadvantaged pupils and the most-able students, fell short of national expectations.

The Ofsted inspectors made suggestions how Parkside could improve teaching so that it was consistently good across all year groups, and raised students’ attainment.

In a letter to parents, Mr Taylor accepted the report had the same overarching judgements as the previous inspection.

But he said: “The result itself is far from being the negative one produced at that time.

“The report backs the judgement we have of the school at this moment in time that we are rapidly improving.

“We know ourselves and without doubt we have the potential and capacity for continued progression.”

Mr Taylor said the report was “very positive” about how the school had progressed since the last inspection, reflecting recent improvements.

He added: “It confirms the school is moving forward quickly and positively towards becoming the good school we all want it to be.

“It clearly highlights areas we need to continue to improve and I would like to reassure everyone that the relentless push from every member of staff has not stopped and will continue.”