A pupil's referral unit that 'is determined for all pupils to achieve' has had a routine inspection by Ofsted as an 'Outstanding' school.

St Thomas's Centre, in Hawthorne Street, Blackburn, was inspected on June 11 and 12, with a report published on July 12.

There has been no change to this school's overall judgement of 'outstanding' as a result of this ungraded, but inspectors said the evidence gathered suggests the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded inspection were carried out now.

Pupils are placed at this school having faced 'challenging experiences in their prior education', with some having been permanently excluded from other schools. 

The report said at times, some staff 'do not implement the phonics programme as effectively as the school intends'.

The report continued: "Some older pupils who have gaps in their reading knowledge do not receive the support that they need to catch up.

"This means that some pupils do not develop into accurate and fluent readers as quickly as they should.

"This hinders their achievement across other curriculum areas. The school should ensure that pupils in all key stages who struggle with reading receive effective support so that they catch up quickly.

"Some of the school’s systems do not provide a useful evaluation of the impact of its work. At times, staff do not know how well the school’s strategies are working.

"This includes strategies to improve behaviour and attendance, and the programme for pupils’ wider social and emotional development."

However, there were positive aspects of the report, including how pupils are 'supported by staff who genuinely care about them'.

The report continued: "Regardless of their previous difficulties, pupils are welcomed into a safe and nurturing environment.

"This helps pupils to regain trust in other people and to feel valued. The school is determined for all pupils to achieve.

"For many pupils, this is reflected in a plan for them to return to a mainstream setting.

"The support that pupils receive prepares them well for this transition. Pupils are successfully re-joining mainstream schools in increasing numbers.

"Those who stay at St Thomas’s Centre in the longer term typically gain the qualifications that they need to move on in their education, employment or training.

"Recently, the school has raised its expectations of pupils’ conduct. Following a period of adjustment, most pupils’ behaviour is improving.

"A minority of pupils are taking longer to live up to the school’s expectations of their behaviour."

The school's next inspection will be a graded inspection.