Keighley’s Holy Family Catholic School has been criticised by Government inspectors and issued with a notice to improve.

The inspection team graded the overall effectiveness of the 923-pupil secondary school as “inadequate”. This means it will be inspected again in about a year’s time.

In their report the inspectors concluded that students were making slow progress and that core subject areas were “weak”.

They stated: “Provisional key stage four results for 2008 indicate that the proportion of students gaining at least five A* to C GCSE grades including English and mathematics is well below average.

“The progress made by girls, in particular those of higher ability, and Pakistani boys is exceptionally slow.”

Their report used a four-tier system to rate performance, with grade 1 representing outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory and grade 4 inadequate.

In the eight categories assessed the school was awarded a grade 2 for personal development and wellbeing.

Grade 3s were awarded for sixth-form effectiveness, teaching and learning, curriculum and other activities, care guidance and support and leadership and management.

Achievement and standards and overall school effectiveness were both given grade 4.

The inspectors have identified specific areas where they want Holy Family to improve. These include raising standards, especially in English.

But despite their concerns they said they were impressed by the school’s warm and friendly atmosphere, good attendance figures and caring ethos.

They added: “Decisive action taken by the new head teacher, along with a strong commitment from the senior team and a shared aspiration for the school’s future, has increased the school’s capacity for further improvement. “This is evidenced by the improvements already made in attendance, behaviour and standards of uniform.” In a letter addressed to Holy Family’s pupils, the inspectors wrote: “The real strength of your school is in the quality of care and individual support you receive. “We consider that most aspects of your school are satisfactory, but that you all need more support to reach higher standards and make more progress in your learning. “Some of you do not get the grades you are capable of in national tests and GCSE examinations. “Too many of you leave school without a qualification in English.” Holy Family’s head teacher, Lawrence Bentley, who took up his post in September last year, said: “The inspection team recognised very clearly that we have plans in place to make the school outstanding. “However, they also recognised that since the last inspection three years ago, the school has not perhaps moved on as quickly as it could have done. “There are a number of issues that the school needs to address but I am confident that we are well placed to do so.”