Academy is given inadequate rating by Ofsted

An academy has been judged inadequate by Ofsted – in its first inspection since it converted from a school two years ago.

But the board of directors at Mesty Croft Academy, in Wednesbury, today said they were 'extremely disappointed' by the report after claiming there was an error over the data supplied to inspectors.

The latest report from Ofsted – the first since it became an academy – comes just two years after it was rated as a good school.

In the report, inspectors said standards for Key Stage One pupils has been below national averages in reading, writing and mathematics and were 'declining further'.

The academy, which has 409 pupils, was judged to be inadequate, which is category four, over the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching and leadership and management.

The behaviour and safety of pupils was also found to require improvement.

Should Ofsted be able to inspect schools without notifying them in advance? leave your comments below.

In the report, inspectors said: "When the academy opened, the attainment of pupils in Key Stage One was significantly below the national average overall, and there were low standards in writing.

"Since then, standards have declined even further in all subjects. Inspection evidence indicates this downward trend is set to continue."

The report added: "Many teachers do not accurately understand the levels pupils are working at. This means that pupils' targets are either too easy or too hard.

They also claimed school leaders had not kept up checks on teaching standards and 'as a result, teaching has not improved and achievement has declined since the academy opened'.

In response, headteacher Andrew Kirby, claimed progress results data for some disadvantaged pupils had not been supplied to Ofsted inspectors in error which 'skewed' the results for the academy.

The academy's board appealed against Ofsted's report but this was rejected by the inspection body.

In a statement, the academy's board of directors said: "We do not believe that the report is a true reflection of the wonderful work that goes on in our school."

They added: "This has highlighted the flaws in the appeals system and has led to frustration in trying to state our case."

Directors refuted claims in the report that more able pupils did not achieve particularly well in national tests.

They added: "The school directors have produced an action plan and will fully engage in the procedures required to remove special measures as soon as possible.

"We are determined to overcome this setback and restore our standing as a high-quality school in our community."