£30m academy is ‘inadequate’
ONE of County Durham’s largest secondary schools has been branded inadequate just four years after a multi-million pound investment.
North Durham Academy in Stanley had twice been told it needed to improve by Ofsted inspectors after it became an academy in 2011.
Now, they say the school – which moved to its £30m campus in 2013 – is failing with weak teaching and have told leaders urgent improvements must be made. In a report published following May’s visit, inspectors said: “The quality of teaching over time has been weak and this is why pupils’ outcomes by the end of Year 11 are inadequate.”
Ofsted, the schools watchdog, found pupils were not learning about spelling, grammar and punctuation. The report said: “The teaching of English is inadequate and too often middle-attaining and lower-attaining pupils are making limited progress.
“The most able pupils generally respond well to teaching and feedback. As a result, there is evidence that these pupils make stronger progress. Some teachers do not ensure that pupils apply English grammar, punctuation and spelling skills in other subjects effectively.
“As a result, the quality of pupils’ handwriting, presentation and the accuracy of spelling, including key vocabulary, are weak across other subjects.”
Maths teaching is also inadequate and pupils are leaving the school unprepared for the next stage of their lives, the report claimed.
Inspectors said: “Despite the good careers advice and guidance provided, the low levels of attainment achieved by pupils at the end of Year 11 mean that not enough pupils are academically ready for their next stage of education. Progress of disadvantaged pupils is weak.”
New College Durham Academies Trust board, which runs the school, said it has already taken “decisive action” and appointed a new executive principal, Kevin Reynolds, in March.
Ofsted said: “The recently appointed executive principal, well supported by the new directors, is beginning to tackle weaknesses with decisiveness and rigour.
“This is bringing noticeable improvements across the school.” Mr Reynolds, who has overseen improvements at Consett Academy and Willington School, said in a letter to parents: “As a parent of two school-age children, I know how important a child’s education is to their well-being and future success.
“A child’s safety and education is at the heart of all we do and the academy has many talented, caring and dedicated staff.”
The school caters for pupils aged 11 to 16 and also has a sixth form. It has 1,116 pupils on its roll.