A SCHOOL, which was once one of the best in the borough, has again been slammed for not taking "effective action" to get out of special measures.

St Monica's RC High School has come under fire from Ofsted following a monitoring inspection in October.

The inspection was the first made since the beginning of the year when the school was found to be "Inadequate" by the education watchdog.

St Monica's had been previously rated as Outstanding for more than 12 years.

In a letter, published on the Ofsted website following the latest inspection, Her Majesty's Inspector Helen O'Neill said that the school's leaders and managers "are not taking effective action towards the removal of special measures".

The school's improvement plan was also described as "not fit for purpose", in the letter.

Conversely a local authority statement of action, which operates in concert with the school's plan, was noted as "fit for purpose".

In the meantime St Monica's is now able recruit newly qualified teachers (NQTs).

However, in her letter, Ms O'Neill recommended that such NQTs be supported by a local leader of education already working with the school.

In it's report from February Ofsted heavily criticised St Monica's, damning the school as "failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education".

The watchdog noted that in maths "Pupils’ progress is some of the worst progress in the country".

Further, provisional GCSE data was highlighted indicating that "boys underachieved dramatically right across the school".

Ofsted also said St Monica's had "illegally excluded pupils", including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and described senior leadership as "fragile" and lacking in experience.

Following the inspection a new overseeing body, known as an Interim Executive Board, was established in May to confront the issues at St Monica's.

John Costello, chair of the IEB, said that the board had taken "immediate action" to address shortcomings in the school's leadership and management.

He also said that the body was focussed on improving outcomes for Year 11 pupils, and would bring in expertise and support from a local teaching school, local leader of education and other headteachers to improve teaching, learning and leadership.

Mr Costello added: ''Bury Council, The Diocese, the Interim Executive Board and the staff at St Monica's are committed to continue working together and with parents and the community, to ensure that the quality of education experience for pupils is rapidly improved, in order to provide them with the high quality of education they deserve.

''Although there is clearly still much to, we were encouraged that inspectors have reported that the school is now in a better position to move forward, recognising the leaders' commitment and passion for improvement, with early signs evident in the positive overall uplift of examination results in summer 2018.

"We are wholly confident that the quality of education provided to pupils will rapidly improve, through working closely with local Teaching Schools and our education stakeholders.''

St Monica's RC High School have been approached for comment.