PUPILS at a Leigh school are “spoiled for choice” and proud to contribute to the community despite some “boisterous” students making younger children feel “insecure and worried”, Ofsted inspectors found.

A two-day inspection at Belfairs Academy in May this year saw the school praised for encouraging pupils to “enthusiastically take up new interests, such as anime, coding, eco activities and drumming”.

The school was also applauded for the high expectations it sets of pupils as well as its ambitious curriculum. 

The school remains “good” overall but inspectors warned “the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded inspection were carried out now”.

Concerns were raised by Ofsted around some pupils not concentrating and disengaging from learning, while a “small number of pupils can become boisterous” and “this results in some younger pupils feeling insecure and worried”. 

The report, seen by the Echo, stated: “Not all staff apply the agreed systems to manage behaviour consistently.

“This means some pupils do not behave as well as they should, while others feel unfairly treated.

“The school is a large and busy environment. While most pupils move around calmly, some are less considerate of others. At times, a small number of pupils can become boisterous. This behaviour results in some younger pupils feeling insure and worried.”

At the time of the inspection, there were 1,449 pupils at the school, who are all aged between 11 and 18.

Inspectors were also concern about safeguarding records for pupils.

The report added: “Leaders have not ensured that safeguarding records are maintained to ensure that all details, actions, and outcomes are available to staff who need access.

“Some records have gaps where information has not been lodged.

“These minor weaknesses have not placed pupils at risk. However, they increase the risk of important information or actions being missed. This can negatively impact of the quality and appropriateness of the support that pupils and their families access.”

Inspectors praised the “ambitious” curriculum.

The report stated: “Pupils who attend Belfairs Academy benefit from a provision that goes beyond the academic. They are spoiled for choice in the broad range of clubs that are on offer. Leaders have designed a curriculum that is high in ambition for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

Belfairs Academy has been contacted for comment by the Echo.