SCHOOL IN SPECIAL MEASURES
Failing leadership and poor teaching have forced a Sunderland school into special measures.
The New Bridge Academy, in Craigshaw Road, Hylton Castle, was rated “Requires Improvement” by Ofsted inspectors in a report published this month.
The special school, for pupils with “emotional, social and behavioural difficulties”, was also criticised for low-attendance levels and the number of exclusions.
But assessors also accepted trustees had plans in place to tackle these issues, as well as praising aspects of its sixth form.
The report said: “Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school.”
The school, which has about 100 pupils on its roll, was rated ‘Inadequate’, the lowest possible, in four out of five areas.
The inspection, carried out in June, found low morale and added senior staff had been unable “to deal with all the urgent matters that require their focus”.
Teaching quality was said to be “highly variable” and confidence among pupils was “fragile”, but bullying is dealt with effectively.
The school opened in 2015 following a merger between Springwell Dene School and Castlegreen Community School to become part of the Ascent Academies’ Trust (AAT).
However, AAT is in negotiations with the Trinity Academy Newcastle Trust for it to take over at New Bridge.
In a statement, Nick Hurn, chair of the board of trustees of Ascent Acade- mies’ Trust, said: “Trustees, leaders and staff were fully aware of the issues raised in the inspection report and have been working tirelessly to address these over the last academic year recognising the situation was not acceptable.
“Significantly this has included securing a re-brokerage of The New Bridge Academy to Trinity Academy Newcastle Trust, who have a track record specialising in this type of provision and supporting the very specific needs of these pupils.”
Trinity Academy Newcastle Trust has been contacted for comment.
“Working tirelessly to address these over the last year” NICK HURN