Lincolnshire academy ‘requires special measures’
Ofsted says school needs special measures after ‘period of decline’
A Lincolnshire academy which has been criticised for not keeping children safe needs special measures, Ofsted have said.
North Kesteven Academy was accused by inspectors of poor leadership and not being consistent or effective in safeguarding.
A report published on July 13th said the school in Moor Lane, in North Hykeham, had gone through a “period of decline”.
The school claims that significant improvements have been made since a new headteacher and leadership team took over in September.
“His Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to provide an acceptable standard of education,” the report says.
It adds: “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’s leadership was rated ‘urgent improvement needed’, particularly with regards to how children were kept safe.
Procedures to look after them weren’t consistent or effective, and not enough had been done to “keep some pupils safe from child-on-child violence or harassment”.
Ofsted has written: “Until very recently, leaders, including those responsible for governance, have paid too little attention to ensuring that pupils are safe.”
“While the work of new leaders is starting to have a positive impact, many of the improvements are still in the early stage and are not yet sustained.”
Five other categories were rated ‘needs attention’, and one was ‘expected standard’.
The academy has provided the Local Democracy Reporting Service with a letter sent to parents, saying: “Some sections of the report undoubtedly make for difficult reading.
“They relate to a period before the new Senior Leadership Team was put in place – nevertheless, the positive and significant impact of those new leaders is clearly recognised throughout the report.”
It says the governing body is “aware of the historic shortcomings” and: “It is evident from Ofsted’s findings that we still have challenges to overcome.
“Headteacher Ms Thomas and her fellow leaders are the team which has already started to deliver it.”
The school was rated ‘requires improvement’ when it was last inspected by Ofsted under the previous rating system.