BRIDGWATER'S Robert Blake Science College (RBSC) has been told it requires improvement by Ofsted, despite receiving significant praise from inspectors.

The school's latest report has seen RBSC fall from a Good rating in 2015 to its current grading of Requires Improvement.

However leaders at the school say they are disappointed with the tone of the report.

In the report, inspectors say the school's personal development is good, and highlight that 'most pupils enjoy coming to school and know that the teachers care for them'.

"Pupils feel safe and behave very well in lessons and around the school," the report states.

The school was also praised for the quality of its maths, arts, and photography curriculums.

However inspectors did highlight areas that could be improved, including support for children with special educational needs.

The report states: "The curriculum is not designed well enough to ensure appropriate learning for pupils with SEND.

"Learning for these pupils is not well sequenced. As a result, pupils with SEND do not achieve as well as they could."

It also highlights that attendance is too low and 'too many pupils are persistently absent'.

In a statement issued following the report's publication, RBSC leaders said they were delighted that inspectors noted how 'leaders and students are proud of their school and want a school where every pupil can do their best'.

The RBSC statement reads: "Despite having a four-year trend of improvement in academic success, the school has been judged as requiring to make further improvements under a rigorous, new inspection framework, which has been in place since September 2019.

"The inspectors recognised the improvements and progress that the school has made since its last inspection and during the verbal feedback session, the inspectors referred to the many ‘green shoots’ that they are confident will have impact in the near future."

Headteacher Deb Loveridge said: “I am disappointed that the report is so neutral and that more of the wonderful verbal feedback received, has not been reflected in the report.

“It is reassuring that Ofsted recognise that we know our school well and that we are uncompromising in our desire to offer the best possible education for our young people.

"Our staff work incredibly hard and it is fabulous to see our school improving year on year.”