BRADFORD'S biggest secondary school has been told it has to improve following its first Ofsted inspection.

St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College was formed in 2014 when all boys St Bede’s Grammar in Heaton and the all girls St Joseph’s Catholic College in Manningham merged.

With more than 1,900 pupils, it is not only the biggest secondary in Bradford, but also the country's biggest Catholic school.

Its first Ofsted report since the merger has now been published, and although the school is praised in many areas, including its leadership and its sixth form, it was given an overall "requires improvement" rating.

The report follows an inspection last month, and says teaching quality is too variable, that attitudes to learning were not consistent and that pupil's attendance is "well below average".

But it adds: "The head teacher leads with ambition and resolve. There is a clear desire to improve the school. As a result, pupils’ progress is improving, although it still needs to improve further.

"Close focus by teachers on the care and support of all pupils strongly influences the values and culture of the school.

"Pupils develop a clear understanding of British values and find out about diversity, equality and democracy through assemblies and citizenship lessons. Positive relationships exist between pupils and staff at all levels."

The school's post-16 provision, which has more than 400 pupils, is also praised, with the report saying: "As a result of strong leadership and consistently good teaching, achievement in the sixth form is good.

"Students are proud of their school and they say that they feel safe and are safe in the sixth form."

However, the report raises several issues that the school needs to deal with.

It says: "Teachers do not have high enough expectations of what pupils are capable of achieving.

"This holds back pupils’ progress, particularly the disadvantaged pupils and the most able boys, who do not always show good attitudes to learning as a result.

"Leaders are taking appropriate action to improve attendance, especially that of disadvantaged pupils.

"While the strategies have improved the attendance of these pupils, leaders are aware that it still remains low.

"Current pupils do not make enough progress in mathematics, and leaders have more work to do to ensure that pupils in Year 11 achieve well.

"School approaches to challenge negative attitudes towards learning are not applied consistently.

"A minority of pupils disrupt the learning of others."

Head teacher Lawrence Bentley said: "The staff and governors were satisfied with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection which found that the school required improvement in order to be good.

"The two schools of St Bede’s and St Joseph’s were amalgamated in 2014 making St Bede’s and St Joseph’s the biggest school in Bradford and the biggest Catholic school in the country.

"This is the first Ofsted inspection since that amalgamation. There have in recent years been a number of revisions of the Ofsted procedures and we at the school are completely focussed on meeting the higher expectations those revisions have brought.

"This year’s report notes a number of positive features such as the strength of leadership, the continued improvements that are being made to teaching and learning, and the happy and safe environment that has been created for students.

"The inspectors found the school’s sixth form provision to be on the cusp of outstanding. The inspectors also noted the rapid journey of improvement that the school is on.

"However, we accept the areas for improvement and have been working hard to address them. The school has a robust Improvement Plan in place and we are working closely with the Diocese of Leeds, and other Bradford schools and the local authority."

Judith Kirk, the Council's deputy director for eucation, employment and skills said: “We want all children in the Bradford district to receive an education that is good or better.

“This report does highlight many strengths at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College and in particular that the effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school is good.

“It also notes that standards at the school are rising and that the head teacher, supported by senior leaders, is determined that pupils have the very best learning opportunities and school experience.

“This gives us confidence that the concerns raised in the report will be addressed and that St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College can move towards achieving a good rating at its next inspection and we will look to support the school in doing so.”