A school has been left "disappointed" after an Ofsted criticised its attendance figures and special education needs support.
Robert Blake Science College, a school in Bridgwater for 11 to 16-year-old children, was visited on Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5, 2019 by inspectors who assessed the quality of education and provision for pupils.
Its personal development was deemed "good" but the report deemed the Hamp Avenue institution "requires improvement" in areas of effectiveness of quality of education, leadership and management and behaviour and welfare.
It was previously given a "Good" rating in 2015.
Leaders at the school were "delighted" with positive observations made in the report but were left "disappointed" by the original inspection's findings.
They added they want Robert Blake Science College to be "an inclusive school" and express a belief that they "want a school where every pupil can do their best".
Pupils are said to "enjoy coming to school" and feel that they are "safe" and teachers "care for them." It notes bullying "rarely happens" but stated teachers can help affected children.
While noting the school's strengths, inspectors highlighted some areas that could be improved, namely "low" pupils' attendance and how "too many pupils are persistently absent".
It adds: "This impedes their ability to learn well across the curriculum. Leaders need to continue to work closely with pupils and their families to raise attendance."
The report continues to state that while pupils enjoy using their facilities, it was noted that children with special education needs require more support.
Find out what's on near you with In Your Area - enter your postcode in our widget below.
The report said: "While some pupils with SEND receive effective support, too many do not have an appropriate curriculum and support for their individual needs. This inhibits their learning.
"Leaders need to ensure that pupils with SEND receive an effective curriculum which provides these pupils with appropriate support."
Inspectors praised the school for the quality of its arts, maths and photography curriculums but found its curriculum in some subjects, particularly science, "is not well planned and sequenced".
A spokesman for the school was pleased that inspectors noted leaders and pupils' pride in the school and that its personal development of students has been recognised as "Good".
A statement reads: "Despite having a four-year trend of improvement in academic success, the school has been judged as requiring to make further improvements under a rigorous, new inspection framework, which has been in place since September 2019.
"The inspectors recognised the improvements and progress that the school has made since its last inspection and during the verbal feedback session, the inspectors referred to the many 'green shoots' that they are confident will have impact in the near future."
Deb Loveridge, head teacher of Robert Blake Science College, was unhappy that some positive feedback was not noted in its Ofsted report.
She said: "I am disappointed that the report is so neutral and that more of the wonderful verbal feedback received, has not been reflected in the report."
"It is reassuring that Ofsted recognise that we know our school well and that we are uncompromising in our desire to offer the best possible education for our young people.
"Our staff work incredibly hard and it is fabulous to see our school improving year on year."
Got an issue or story in Bridgwater, Taunton or West Somerset I can investigate?
Get in touch: michael.taylor@reachplc.com, tweet @JournoMikeT or call 01935 709742.
Want more news?
To subscribe to our daily newsletter, enter your email address into the box at the top of this story.
For more Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea news, like our Facebook page
Find our Bath Facebook page here or Somerset's can be found here
Alternatively, follow us on Twitter - @BathLive and @SomersetLive
