A Leek school has been given the lowest possible rating of 'inadequate' in a recent Ofsted inspection.

An Ofsted inspection of Leek High School was held back in March, with the inspection report being published this month.

The inspection has resulted in the school being handed the lowest possible rating of 'inadequate', below the rankings of 'requires improvement', 'satisfactory', 'good' and 'outstanding'.

The result marks a significant drop from a short inspection held at the school in 2019, in which the school was given a 'good' rating.

This most recent inspection found that the school was 'inadequate' in several categories including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.

'Requires improvement' ratings were also given in the categories of personal development and sixth form provision.

The report noted that pupils generally had good relationships with staff and other pupils, but said there was frequent low level disruption in lessons because teachers did not have high enough expectations of learning and behaviour.

It added: "Although pupils say they feel safe, leaders do not ensure that all pupils are safe from harm."

It also said that leaders "have not established a culture of high expectations and ambition for pupils" and that the curriculum was "not ambitious enough" except for in science.

The report said that there was "a high number of suspensions and exclusions" and that "too many pupils do not attend school regularly enough" but also added that pupils had access to "high-quality careers advice and guidance".

On the school's sixth form, the report said: "Not all students make the progress that they should in the sixth form on A-level and applied courses."

However, in a positive comment it added: "In art, there is evidence of work at an exceptional standard. Students who need to improve GCSE grades in English and mathematics do make strong progress. Students particularly value the advice and support they get for their university applications."

But the report also criticised the school's governance, adding: "Governance is not effective. Governors are not aware of all their statutory duties or the weaknesses in the school. Governors' systems for monitoring pupils' learning, behaviour and attendance are not robust."

The full report can be read on the Ofsted website.