A damning Ofsted report has shed light on the sudden resignation of a South Holland headteacher.
The report highlights low attainment, lack of pupil support and low expectations at University Academy Long Sutton.
The inspection has resulted in the school requiring ‘significant improvement.’
But urgent steps must be taken to resolve the attainment and progress.
“Pupils’ attainment and progress are consistently below national averages over time. This is demonstrated by published outcomes from national examinations. The achievement of disadvantaged pupils has also been consistently below that of disadvantaged pupils nationally,” the inspection found.
The school saw just 17.3 per cent of pupils attain a grade 5 or above in GCSE English and maths. The national average is 45.4 per cent.
There was public outcry and student demonstrations earlier this year when the principal Liam Davé left suddenly after almost seven years at the helm.
The former Peele School, part of the University of Lincoln Academy Trust, saw some students refuse to attend lessons with some being suspended as a result.
The Ofsted inspectors also found poor attendance despite the school working with pupils and families.
“Too many pupils do not attend school as well as they should. Attendance is below national averages and has been for some time. Leaders identify improving attendance as a priority.
“However, leaders recognise that more work is needed to make sure all pupils attend school as well as they should.”
Alongside poor attendance, pupils’ lack of focus has also been highlighted, although the inspectors said the school is calm and orderly.
“Leaders have worked to raise behaviour expectations and to improve consistency in the way poor behaviour is managed. As a result, the number of disruptions to learning has reduced significantly.”
Incidents of bullying and discriminatory behaviour was found to be rare and quickly resolved.
Despite a barrage of criticism, the school provides an ambitious curriculum and students are tolerant and respect differences.
“However, the quality of teaching is variable. Expectations of what pupils can achieve are not high enough. As a result, too many pupils do not achieve well. They are not as well prepared for their next steps as they should be. Leaders have begun to make necessary improvements, but these have not yet had a significant impact on pupils’ achievement.”
The school is much smaller than average, with a capacity of 720 as opposed to 1,153. An above average (40.95 per cent) are eligible for free school meals. There is also an above average number of students with special educational needs (SEN).
The school doesn’t have a unit or resourced provision for children with SEN or disabilities.
The school meets the expected standard in personal development and wellbeing.
“The school is ambitious that all pupils should be well prepared for their lives in modern Britain,” the report says.
But improvement work is falling short with achievement and attendance weaknesses over time.
“School leaders have not established a coordinated approach to monitoring the effectiveness of all their actions.
A new headteacher has been appointed and Sher Alam is due to take over the role from September.
He is currently the vice principal at University Academy Holbeach which is operated by the same Trust.
