A school in Sidcup has been told it requires improvement by Ofsted after its latest inspection.

Hurstmere Secondary school, in Hurst Road, was given the rating following a two-day inspection on September 27 and 28.

Schools are rated in four categories: outstanding, good, requires improvement, and inadequate. 

The report, which was published by Ofsted on November 29, says that Hurstmere requires improvement in four categories.

These are quality of education, behaviour of pupils, personal development, and leadership.

The report says pupils “do not always” receive the help they need to access the curriculum and learn “effectively”.

In some subjects, some of the work does not focus “sufficiently” well on the most “important” concepts.

As a result, students struggle to understand and recall these ideas, according to Ofsted.

It also states that teachers do not check “well enough” on what pupils learn which means that there can be gaps in their knowledge.

The expectation for behaviour is not implemented “consistently” where learning can be disrupted, says Ofsted.

Despite it being told it requires improvement, Ofsted says the leaders are focused on improving the school and have identified the right priorities.

Students are kept safe and they appreciate the positive working relationships that they have with adults, according to the report.

It also adds that leaders want every pupil to succeed with the curriculum being designed to ensure that they learn and remember.

Leaders are “well” at identifying students who have difficulties with reading, and they ensure that these pupils receive help to catch up.

Teachers can sometimes be “unclear” on how to support these students with reading in different subjects, according to Ofsted.

We have contacted Hurstmere School on what will be done to improve its rating following the inspection.