A HIGH school in Leigh has gone from being good to inadequate, says Ofsted inspectors.

The education watchdog has deemed Westleigh High School to be inadequate overall in an inspection report published this month.

Outcomes for pupils at the Westleigh Lane school were also found to be inadequate while leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment and personal development, behaviour and welfare were all listed as requiring improvement.

After inspecting the school for the first time since ruling it to be good overall in November 2012, Ofsted said: “Teachers do not routinely use the information they have about where pupils are in their learning to plan for more rapid progress.

“Sometimes all pupils do the same work, regardless of their ability. There is a lack of challenge.

“Some teachers’ questioning is not used well enough to deepen pupils’ knowledge and understanding.

"Consequently pupils make slow progress.”

Inspectors found that the school required stronger leadership.

“Leaders do not ensure that the school’s policies are consistently applied," they said.

"Staff do not have consistently high expectations.

“As a result some pupils’ learning and progress are slow.”

A new leadership team is now in place at the school.

The report said: “The new leadership team’s plans to improve the school are clearly thought out, sharp and robust.

"Leaders demonstrate capacity to take the school forward.

“Leaders and governors have taken decisive action to improve the quality of teaching across the school.

"More pupils are now engaged in their learning.”

Head teacher Carlton Bramwell says action is being taken to improve the school.

“The school staff, leadership and governors accept the outcome of the inspection was not as hoped," he said.

“However, importantly the outcome will serve to enhance the already important changes the leadership has made to the school to ensure all students at Westleigh are provided the best possible education.

“The school accepts that historic results, particularly in some subjects, need to improve and has been working tirelessly to raise standards.”