Extract from the Ofsted report of March 2010.

Following a period of rapid change Castlebrook is now providing its students with a good education. Students are well supported and benefit from a highly personalised curriculum. The leadership team places a clear emphasis on raising attainment and there is a good capacity for further school improvement.

Students join the school with below-average attainment, many with low standards of literacy. At the end of Key Stage 4 students' attainment is broadly in line with the national average. External examination data together with evidence seen in lessons show that a large majority of students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress. Staff work hard to remove barriers to learning and there is an effective programme of intervention support for those who speak English as an additional language. However, some groups, including those in receipt of free school meals, make slightly less progress than other students.

Students say they feel safe in school and that adults are effective in providing further support if it is required. Almost all students have good attitudes to learning and behaviour is good. However, a small group with additional needs do not engage with their studies and have poor patterns of attendance. Students understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, but too few choose to participate in regular additional sporting activities.

The majority of teaching is good and learning normally takes place at a brisk pace. Progress is carefully tracked and, consequently, senior staff have a clear understanding of which students require additional support. However, in a minority of lessons there is insufficient planning and, as a result, the work is insufficiently matched to the needs of all students. Considerable effort has been put in to developing an imaginative curriculum. Students have early access to GCSEs and a flexible programme of more practical vocational courses. This has encouraged older students to achieve and offers good preparation for their future economic well-being. Students welcome the effective support they receive as they join the school, choose their course programmes and progress on to post-16 education or training.

The headteacher and his senior staff have a clear vision for the school's development and, as a result, rapid improvements have been made to all aspects of the school's work. Senior staff are rightly focused on seeking to achieve consistently good or better teaching across all subject areas. Members of the governing body, while supportive, recognise that systems are not in place to challenge routinely the middle leaders who manage the subject areas. The school operates as a cohesive community, but insufficient attention is given to ensuring students' appreciation of cultural diversity.

Link to full Ofsted Report