Call for new sponsor at failing Wednesfield school after scathing inspection

Wednesfield High Academy was branded inadequate by Ofsted inspectors last month, who said security checks were chaotic, some pupils lived in fear of bullying and teachers struggled to control classes.

The school in Lichfield Road, which has 884 pupils and 141 sixth-formers, was put into special measures.

Standards

It is currently run by Education Central Multi Academy Trust within the University of Wolverhampton.

But Wolverhampton council will write to the government's Regional Schools Commissioner asking them to consider new sponsors.

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Wednesfield councillor Phil Bateman, who raised the issue of the school with education chiefs at the council, said: "The city council has written to the Regional Education Commissioner asking that the school be 'rebrokered'.

"The school is an academy and the authority has no controls over its operation.

"But the city can make its case to the Regional Commissioner which it has. "

A spokesman for Wolverhampton council said: "We are working with the Academy sponsor to raise standards at the school.

"This also involves liaising with the Regional Schools Commissioner as academies are autonomous, and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the City of Wolverhampton Council."

Bosses at the Education Central Multi Academy Trust said they were 'disappointed' the council had decided to approach the commissioner without discussing it with them first.

A spokesman said: "When the trust inherited the school from local authority control it was in a poor position and was already in special measures.

"It takes time to turn around a school in such a position and embed the necessary changes to bring about improvement.

"We have a clear plan in place for the way forward and we are working closely with the Regional Schools Commissioner to implement this plan.

"The trust is currently in the process of recruiting a new headteacher. The senior leadership team and the trust will continue to provide the strategic direction and support for the future during this time."

Wednesfield High Academy's latest Ofsted inspection took place on January 10 and 11, and it was branded inadequate in all five areas in which it was assessed.