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The Oasis Academy on the Isle of Sheppey still 'requires improvement', according to Ofsted inspectors.
But the sixth-form remains 'good' with its curriculum described as 'broad and balanced'.
Inspectors visited the school's two sites at Minster and Sheerness on July 2 and 3.
They said improvements had been made in behaviour and teaching but they had not been substantial enough.
Pupils, in particular those who were disadvantaged, had not made enough progress, the inspectors found.
Teaching was described as inconsistent, persistent absence was too high and many pupils lacked enthusiasm and did not work hard enough, the report said.
But it added that new principal Tina Lee, who took over a year ago, and senior staff were "steadfast in laying sound foundations for further school improvement."
Older Key Stage 3 pupils are said to study a wide range of subjects and in Key Stage 4 they chose from a "rich" selection of GCSE and BTEC qualifications.
Lessons were described as calm and purposeful so pupils could concentrate, leaders were committed, enthusiastic and ambitious for pupils.
The report said effective behaviour plans and improved teaching had allowed pupils to make strong progress in mathematics and other subjects.
Pupils felt safe, inspectors said. They also praised the work of teachers to encourage parents and carers to attend school events.
Eighty-three percent of parents who completed Ofsted's online questionnaire were positive about the academy.
Inspectors said Miss Lee had "provided a new momentum to the school's plan for improvement" since her appointment last June.
They said she had correctly identified the strengths and weaknesses and had a "deep understanding" of the challenges it faced.
The report comes after she announced all pupils, except sixth-formers, would be taught at the Minster campus from September.
The Sheerness campus will be used by sixth-formers.
Inspectors said sixth-form teachers knew their students well and challenged them to further their understanding.
They said Year 11 and Year 13 pupils received "excellent" careers advice.
Miss Lee said: “We are pleased the inspectors recognised the progress we have made.
"While there is still much to achieve, I’m confident we have the right team and plans in place to continue to drive up improvements.”
She added: “The next step is to bring together our secondary provision at our Minster site which will have a really positive impact for both teachers and students.”
Building work has already started at the Minster campus to convert open-plan upstairs spaces into nine new classrooms to cope with the additional number of pupils being moved from Sheerness.
The site was originally designed for1,500 pupils. Even with the Sheerness pupils it will only have 1,200.
Miss Lee said: "We are not short of space, just short of rooms."
