School ordered to do better by Ofsted
A Sunderland school has been ordered to improve by Government inspectors.
Red House Academy was given an overall rating of “inadequate” in its latest Ofsted report.
Effectiveness of leadership and management was rated “requires improvement”, while Quality of teaching, learning and assessment, Personal development, behaviour and welfare, and Outcomes for pupils were all rated “Inadequate”.
The report says the school has had problems for a while: “Over time, school leaders and the trust have not taken action to prevent a decline in standards. Pupils’ progress was well below average in 2016 and 2017.
“Prior to this academic year, the curriculum did not meet the needs of many pupils. Too many pupils did not receive appropriate challenge or support.
“Outcomes in most subjects in 2017 were well below national averages, particularly in English, mathematics and science.
“Pupils’ behaviour, although rapidly improving since the appointment of new staff to the trust and school, is inadequate. Too many pupils misbehave, resulting in removal from lessons.”
The report does, however, note that the situation has improved in the last six months, with new trust leaders leaving “no stone unturned in implementing their improvement plans”.
The report says the school must:
Improve the quality of leadership and management at all levels;
Improve the quality of pupils’ personal development, behaviour and welfare;
Rapidly improve the quality of teaching and learning, and pupils’ outcomes.
Executive principal Andrew Jordon said: “Ofsted recognised that since the appointment of new leaders to the trust and the academy in September 2017, rapid improvements are taking place to improve the life chances of all students.
“We are pleased that Ofsted acknowledged the positive changes that have been made in teaching and learning, as well as a number of strategies which are increasing the pace of improvement.
“In short, the findings support the many necessary changes that have already been made and we are confident that we are well on our way to delivering rapid improvement.
“We are focused on continuing along this path to ensure that all students get the high standard of education they so rightly deserve at Red House Academy.”