A secondary school in the Bristol area is "yet to secure a good quality education for all pupils", Ofsted has found.
The education watchdog found during its latest inspection of Patchway Community School that more needs to be done to support pupils' reading skills. It noted that some pupils in Year 7 enter the school unable to read fluently.
Ofsted also found that behaviour outside lessons isn't good enough and that some pupils feel that they are not always treated fairly, adding that "a significant minority" of parents say that school leaders do not respond to concerns they raise.
Read more: Best schools in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset according to Ofsted
The Ofsted report has been published following an inspection of the secondary school in South Gloucestershire in mid-February this year. The school has been given an overall rating of 'requires improvement', having been given that same rating on the assessment categories of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes as well as leadership and management.
However the school, which teaches 731 pupils aged 11 to 18, was given a rating of 'good' for the category of personal development and for its sixth-form provision.
Ofsted's latest inspection of the school was carried out in 2016, when Patchway Community College was given a rating of "inadequate". It became an academy in November 2013 under the Fusion Schools Trust, but another trust - Olympus Academy Trust - then took over the failing school in 2017 after the damning Ofsted report.
The report found: "Leaders have high expectations for all pupils. However, these are not always supported by the teaching that pupils receive. For example, in mathematics, pupils know and remember key facts but cannot apply this knowledge to different contexts.
"Teaching does not always help pupils make as much progress as they could. Some pupils say that they do not always feel safe outside lessons or enjoy learning. Yet many pupils also say that they have a trusted adult they can go to in school.
"Sixth-form students say that behaviour has improved over their time at Patchway. Nevertheless, some younger pupils say that the new approach to behaviour is not applied fairly and that it is not making things better."
The report found that there are many extra-curricular opportunities on offer for pupils, adding that some pupils have leadership roles including diversity and anti-bullying ambassadors. It also said that the curriculum has been planned carefully and that leaders and staff are clear about what pupils need to learn.
However, Ofsted said that teachers do not always check the learning in lessons has been fully understood, which means some pupils have gaps in their knowledge. It said that staff know how to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, adding that their needs are "swiftly and accurately" identified and are supported "effectively".
"The school’s guided reading programme is increasing the range of books pupils experience," it said. "They study authors from different times and cultures.
"However, many pupils say they do not enjoy reading and only read when they have to. Some pupils in Year 7 enter the school unable to read fluently.
"The very weakest readers receive effective support. However, not all pupils who need this help have received it yet. This means they cannot learn the curriculum as well as they should be able to."
Ofsted described pupils' conducts in lessons as "calm and orderly", adding there is very little disruption to learning and that the relationships between staff and pupils in lessons are positive.
It said: "Some pupils feel that they are not always treated fairly. Of the parents who gave their views, a significant minority say that school leaders do not respond to concerns they raise.
"Behaviour outside lessons isn't good enough and it is a concern for some pupils, particularly when moving between lessons or visiting the toilets. Many staff say they are well supported in managing behaviour, but a minority do not."
It added: "Trustees, trust leaders and local governors are committed to stabilising and improving the school. However, they have yet to secure a good quality of education for all pupils."
Ofsted also found that safeguarding arrangements are effective. The education watchdog said that leaders should ensure that those who do not read well are taught to do so promptly by appropriately trained staff, adding that leaders need to make sure that teaching helps pupils develop a deeper understanding of what they are learning and doing.
Ofsted also found that leaders should ensure that behaviour systems are used effectively to reduce incidents over time so that pupils feel safe in school and that leaders need to improve communication with parents so that concerns are dealt with quickly and effectively.
The watchdog's guidance states that it inspects schools that require improvement again in the 30 months following their last inspection, or at any time if further concerns are raised. Last year, funding was secured to rebuild the school in order to help cater for an expected 2,500 extra children from new housing estates north of Bristol.
What the school said
In a statement, the school said: "Patchway Community School has received its Ofsted rating following the inspection visit in February of this year. From the Olympus Trust Academy perspective, we knew that it was going to be a close call as to whether inspectors would see enough to say that Patchway Community School was now a consistently good school.
"There were many positives in the inspection report as well as some areas of concern that will require further action. The inspection has not changed the direction of travel, but has confirmed that all the things we have been working on in recent months are moving the school closer to being consistently good.
"New expectations and routines introduced in stages since the autumn have had a hugely positive impact and the school is increasingly calm, purposeful and happy on a day to day basis. Some of the changes are a direct response to concerns raised by students and parents about feeling safe and supported."
Olympus Chief Executive, Dave Baker, said: “Members of the Olympus Central Team have spent a lot of time based in Patchway since October and we have seen week by week how the new routines have helped to establish better habits. This will enable all students to thrive once they are used to them.”
The statement continued: "Staff, both teaching and support, have worked tremendously hard since the return from lockdown this time last year, in delivering high quality and ambitious learning aims for all students. There are very many positives to celebrate in this report and recognition of the improvement journey which continues to improve students’ outcomes and life chances.
