PUPILS are "proud to attend" a large secondary school according to a recent Ofsted report.
Whitcliffe Mount, on Turnsteads Avenue in Cleckheaton, was inspected by the education watchdog on March 4 and 5.
The school, which has 1,232 students aged between 11 and 16 on its roll, has taken "effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection".
Many pupils meet the school’s 'high expectations for achievement'
Pupils enjoy attending this "welcoming school" and recognise the improvements the school continues to make.
The report said: "Pupils value the support they get from their teachers. They are proud to attend the school."
Many pupils meet the school’s "high expectations for achievement" and do well in public examinations.
They also recognise the "increased expectations" for their behaviour.
Inspectors added: "Pupils receive effective support to help them explore options for their future.
"This helps them develop aspirations for jobs they would like to do. These include becoming a pilot or a vet.
"These high aspirations help pupils understand the importance of their education."
The school has "refined the ambitious curriculum" - identifying the important knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn.
What Whitcliffe Mount needs to improve on
Ofsted said the school knows that improving the progress and attendance of some disadvantaged pupils is a "key priority".
The report said: "There are some signs of progress in this area.
"However, some strategies are still embedding and are yet to have the desired impact. There is further work to do."
It adds: "This means that some of these pupils do not yet achieve or attend as well as their peers.
"The school needs to further refine strategies and carefully monitor their impact to ensure that these gaps close further."
'Our school community deserves a very good school'
A spokesperson for the school said: "As students and staff, we are very proud of our amazing school community, and this is captured well within the report.
"It is lovely to read that students, staff, and parents/carers value the changes that have been made at Whitcliffe Mount to raise aspirations, improve behaviour and attendance and to help everyone to achieve their personal best.
"It has been a busy couple of years, but one that has been worth every effort.
"Our results have continued to improve and are now above those seen by similar students nationally.
"We have high expectations for our current Year 11 students who are busy working hard, revising for upcoming examinations.
"Our school community deserves a very good school, and we will continue to set high expectations and embed best practice so that the teaching, learning, pastoral care and the wealth of activities that our students experience is strong.
"We want all students to feel a sense of belonging at WMA and by working 'together, we are proud to be our best'."
