An independent special school in Wisbech - which has day fees of more than £30,000 - has been slammed by an education watchdog for failing to improve one year on.

On Track Education Centre Wisbech, in Old Field Lane, were “still not good enough across the curriculum”, according to Ofsted.

The centre, which has five pupils on the roll and annual day fees of £35,758 funded by the local authorities, was originally inspected in February last year.

Yet upon Ofsted’s return on March 16 this year, inspectors said that the school “does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014”.

The report reads: “Despite these new strategies, the quality of teaching and learning is still not good enough across the curriculum. In some subjects, expectations of what pupils can achieve are too low. Activities are not planned consistently well to accelerate pupils’ learning and build upon their ability and interests.

“Pupils’ aptitudes and needs were not taken sufficiently into account in the planning of lessons. Staff did not use effective strategies to improve pupils’ attitudes to learning and to encourage pupils to act responsibly.

“While the headteacher has made some progress towards improving the management of behaviour, the standard in relation to the quality of teaching is still not met.”

Officials say that to improve on the result, the school now needs to ensure that “effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils to act responsibly are in place” and that those with leadership and management responsibilities at the school “demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role.”

However, the report did raise good points about the school, with the emotional needs of pupils being promptly met and all members of staff being positive about the new leadership following the appointment of a new headteacher in September last year.

Jane Wilson, headteacher, said: “The school recognises that there is still work to do to fully implement and consistently deliver good quality teaching, but we are pleased that the unannounced progress monitoring inspection highlighted the great progress and improvements already achieved.

“The recognition of the raising the standards in accommodation, behaviour management and pupil welfare reflect the improvement journey that the school has undertaken since September when the new Head Teacher joined. It was also pleasing that safeguarding arrangements remain effective and the school creates a safe culture.

“Staff will continue to develop their expertise and skills to ensure that pupils at the school gain the best outcomes and strive to fulfil their potential.

“We are confident that when Ofsted return the school will have met all of the Independent school standards and will be a fantastic learning environment for those students with social emotional and mental health needs.”

On Track Education Services run the school which was opened in 2006.

The pupils are aged between 14 and 16.