Wolverhampton school continues to make 'steady progress' out of special measures

Ofsted inspectors visited New Park School in Whitmore Reans in the latest of a series of monitoring visits that have taken place since the school was branded inadequate in February 2014.

In the report published earlier this month, inspectors noted the role being played by new headteacher Fran Pass, saying that she had identified where the school's strengths lie and where improvements needed to be made.

The report said that pupils and staff were 'responding well' to her expectations, while Year 10 and 11 pupils who regularly attend lessons 'are continuing to make steady progress towards GCSE and other examinations'.

However, the report revealed a 'mixed picture' of progress being made by pupils in Years 7 to 9, with a 'significant number' of them said to be not making the progress they should.

The progress of some pupils was 'adversely affected' by their low attendance, according to the report, with some pupils attending school on a part time basis.

Since the last inspection attendance had fallen to 80 per cent, with 'a small but significant core of pupils' attending less than 50 per cent of the time.

The report added: "There has been some turbulence in staffing in Key Stage 2 and some pupils are still finding it hard to settle into school.

"Some aspects of the curriculum and the learning environment do not meet their needs well."

The quality of teaching was praised in the report. Teachers were said to have planned suitable work, while marking and verbal assessment were 'highly informative'.

Pupil behaviour was also said to have improved as a result. "Many staff now manage pupils' behaviour in lessons well," the report said.

"They focus the pupils on learning, ignore minor disruptions, give praise which makes it clear what pupils have done well, and constantly encourage pupils to take risks and be resilient."

The report concluded: "The school is making reasonable progress towards the removal of special measures."

Wolverhampton's education chief Councillor Claire Darke, said: "Our young people deserve nothing less than a high quality education.

"The improvements we are successfully driving through at New Park by the introduction of an Interim Executive Board and strengthened leadership arrangements are being replicated at other local schools which require our support to improve standards."

Headteacher Fran Pass added: "I am pleased to be working with colleagues who show such dedication, and pupils who inspire with their ingenuity and uniqueness and are very much the backbone to what I am sure will be a very positive future for New Park School."