TEACHERS at an all-girls school have been told they do not have an "aspirational vision" after it was given a poor rating.

Education watchdog Ofsted gave Copthall School, in Pursley Road, in Mill Hill, the second lowest rating - requires improvement.

It dropped two points from its last inspection in 2010 when it was judged as ‘good’.

The report outlines how the most disadvantaged pupils do not make the progress they should and how teachers lack a sense of “urgency”.

It says: “School leaders do not have an aspirational vision for the school or its pupils. Their actions to date have lacked urgency and direction. As a result, the impact of their work has been ineffective.

“Leaders know which groups of pupils do not make expected progress, yet they have been slow to tackle issues around low staff expectations in some subjects.”

Leaders were also told they do not check the quality of teaching, planned activities are not “challenging enough”, and feedback is “inconsistent”.

Changes to the curriculum are having a negative impact on GCSE students and senior staff do not see safeguarding as a high priority.

Meanwhile the organisation of the school, including complicated split break times, means pupils cannot take part in a full range of activities.

It also criticised the governors, adding: “Governors are not sufficiently challenging to hold leaders to account. They are too quick to accept information provided by the school.

“They do not challenge school leaders about the poor performance. They have not ensured safeguarding is of the highest quality.”

But the school was praised for its polite pupils who work well together and high aspirations.

Less able pupils have made good progress across most subjects and lessons for sixth formers aged 16 to 19 was also judged ‘good’.

The report was published in the same week former head teacher Jane Beaumont left the school.

The school declined to comment.

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