THE principal of a Basingstoke secondary school which has been told to improve said he is “determined to make this into a great school”.

Referring to Everest Community Academy’s recent Ofsted report, Nick Price said: “I’m disappointed that the school is still graded as “requires improvement” but, on the other hand, I’m also pleased that they recognised how much we have improved over the year and also how well behaved the children are.”

Mr Price took over the leadership of Everest, in Oxford Way, Popley, last September.

However, the Ofsted report said: “Recent changes to strengthen and sharpen leadership and management at all levels have not yet had time to fully impact on students’ achievement.”

It added: “Teaching is not yet consistently good and activities do not always provide students, especially disadvantaged and more able students, with enough support and challenge.”

The school, which has 586 pupils on its roll, was inspected by the education watchdog on June 17 and 18.

It was graded as “requires improvement” in all areas, which was the same grade it was given when it was last inspected in 2013.

Inspectors described Mr Price as “determined” and said his leadership is “effective in generating change”.

The report added: “The quality of teaching has improved since the previous inspection, with underperformance rigorously addressed through professional development programmes. The number of lessons when students’ learning was poor has dramatically reduced.”

Inspectors found that staff care about the welfare and well-being of students, and that bullying is rare.

The report said attendance has risen rapidly and now matches the national average.

Ofsted said that Everest receives “considerable assistance from the Academies Enterprise Trust” which runs the school.

Inspectors found that although work has been done to improve behaviour, there is still a problem with students not being consistently fully engaged in their lessons.

However, it said behaviour around the academy is “calm and orderly” adding: “Students are polite and courteous towards each other as well as to staff and visitors.”

The report noted that last year’s GCSE results “did not meet Government floor targets”, adding: “The academy’s tracking of students’ attainment, early entry results in English and more rigorous monitoring procedures suggest that attainment will improve significantly in 2015.

Underachievement has been addressed in 2015, so that the proportion of students making and exceeding expected progress now compares favourably with national data, although it is not so strong in maths.”

Mr Price told The Gazette: “I am very proud of what we’ve done so far and of the staff and especially the students. I am so determined to make this into a great school and this takes us one step closer.”