ELLESMERE Port Catholic High School has had a mixed report from Ofsted.

A five-strong team of inspectors spent two days at the larger than average school on Capenhurst Lane at the end of November.

Their verdict was that overall the school, which has 1,054 pupils including 167 in the sixth form, provides adequately for students with satisfactory prospects for further improvement.

Most students enjoy the school, which has specialist status in the humanities, according to lead inspector John Peckham.

The quality of teaching and learning is variable but satisfactory overall.

There is some ‘excellent’ practice but too often the planning of lessons does not allow for the range of ability within each class or provide different activities to enable all students to make good progress.

The school offers a mainly traditional, academic curriculum.

There is good practice in developing literacy skills and the personal, social, health and citizenship programme has been ‘substantially improved’.

Many students are keen participants in sporting and other activities.

But a significant number of teenagers restrict their future career and higher education options by only studying a single science subject, which is out of step with the majority of schools.

Good care, guidance and support is provided to students and many make a positive contribution to the school and to charity and other work with which it is involved.

While there are some good links with parents and carers, a ‘significant number’ believe the school could do more to listen to their views.

Youngsters start at the school with above average attainment but at the end of Key Stage 4 attainment, although at least average, is only sometimes above average.

Students’ development of skills for their future is only satisfactory.

Some teaching is ‘very good’ but there is a ‘substantial variation’ in its quality.

Teaching and learning in the sixth form is good.

Not all students have faith in the school to deal effectively with bullying or other serious misbehaviour.

The school has been asked to improve the amount of good teaching and to give senior leaders more precise roles to improve the school faster.

It has also been asked to make improvements to the curriculum.