A secondary school has been lifted out of the requires improvement category to be graded good.

Rivington and Blackrod High School has been marked good in all areas following a recent inspection.

Ofsted inspectors described the school as 'warm and welcoming' where pupils 'feel safe and well supported'.

Inspectors reported: "Pupils respond well to the high expectations that leaders have of their behaviour and achievement.

"They treat each other with dignity and respect."

The Bolton News: Rivington and Blackrod School.

They praised the school's enrichment curriculum which was accessible to all and many pupils take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

The Ofsted inspection report stated: "The curriculum offer is ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND and those who attend the specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND (specially resourced provision). Leaders have improved their curriculum thinking. This has

helped to widen the range of subjects that pupils study. Students in Key Stage Five have access to a range of high-quality subject curriculums. This sets them up for success in the next stage of their education, employment or training."

Last year, pupils' attainment and progress in the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects was lower than the national average. In part, this was due, said inspectors, to the gaps that had emerged in pupils’ learning as a result of the pandemic.

Inspectors added that leaders have taken successful steps to help current pupils overcome their gaps in learning.

Teachers were said to have strong subject knowledge and 'use their expertise well to foster a culture of respect and intellectual curiosity in the classroom".

"Staff feel their workload is managed well and feel proud members of the school community," reported inspectors.

The school also has a 'new behaviour policy' reported Ofsted inspectors, who added: "This contributes to a culture of purposeful learning in the classroom. Learning is rarely disrupted by poor behaviour. Pupils, including students in the sixth form, are focused and keen to learn."

Pupils and sixth-formers are well informed about their options after school and how to achieve their career goals.

Rivington and Blackrod High School can be traced to 1566.

Rivington and Blackrod High School is part of the Leverhulme Academy Church of England and Community Multi-Academy Trust, of which Harper Green School is too.

In March, Harper Green School in Farnworth, which had been in need of improvement for nearly a decade, received a good Ofsted good rating.