ONE of Bradford’s biggest schools has been told it needs to improve, although inspectors have praised the behaviour of its “polite and courteous” pupils.

Dixons Allerton Academy is an all-through school, with 1,700 pupils aged between three and 18.

The school was visited by Ofsted inspectors last month, and their report judges the school to “require improvement” in several categories, including the quality of teaching, leadership and management and the school’s sixth form.

But in the same inspection report, the academy’s early years provision and the behaviour, personal development and welfare of its pupils were judged “good.”

And inspectors said plans to improve the school were “innovative and ambitious.”

Run by the Dixons Academy chain, the former Rhodesway school also required improvement when inspected in 2014.

The latest inspection says there is a marked difference between teaching in the primary and the secondary phases of the school.

It says: “School leaders in the secondary phase do not make effective use of information about pupils’ progress. Consequently, individuals and groups of pupils whose progress is poor are not identified quickly and appropriate actions are not taken.

“Quite the opposite is true in the primary phase.

“In science across the secondary phase, teachers have not responded to training or direction from leaders. The quality of explanations and learning activities is poor, and so progress is limited.

“Many pupils work hard and study carefully on their own. This demonstrates their resilience and determination.

Inspectors praise the students, saying: “Pupils have positive attitudes to school and behave well. They are welcoming, polite and courteous.”

Principal Gary Dreher took up his post in Spring, and the report says: “The principal’s plans for improvement are innovative and ambitious. Implementation is underway, but it is too soon to see significant impact.”

Sir Nick Weller, head of the Dixons Academy chain, said: “The school has kept the same grade as last time. The report praises many of the changes the head has made, but it will take another year before we can really demonstrate the impact of these changes to Ofsted.”

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