Agency teacher snapped sleeping in class at Willenhall E-Act Academy

Willenhall E-Act Academy, which was plunged into special measures by Ofsted in May after pupils threw food at inspectors, has hit the headlines again after a pupil at the inadequate school took a picture of a sleeping teacher on social media site Snapchat.

They captioned it: "And the teachers say its the students fault... welcome to Willenhall the place of sleeping teachers."

But the academy, which has previously been dubbed Britain's worst school, has said the teacher pictured is not employed by the school and, as an agency staff, will not be hired again.

A spokesman said: "The individual pictured in the photograph is not a Willenhall E-Act Academy employee but is a member of external agency staff. We have expressed our disappointment in the strongest terms directly to the agency, and have informed them that we will not be using their services in the future.

"The individual in question had been drafted in by the academy for one day to help invigilate an exam alongside one other teacher."

Staff employed by the academy have been striking this month over a dispute about not being listened to by bosses.

Bosses told 'improve or lose school'

Bosses at Willenhall E-Act have been given 12 months to turn it around – or face having it taken away from them.

It was criticised in a report by Ofsted inspectors, who had food thrown at them by pupils. It was put in special measures after being rated inadequate.

New principal, Kirsty Jones, has been appointed and more staff have been brought in by managing group, E-Act Multi-Academy Trust.

But National Schools Commissioner, Sir David Carter, has warned that if the school is not turned around quickly, another academy trust could take over.

In a letter responding to Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes, who called for intervention, Sir David said he met Ms Jones at the school on July 6.

He said: “She has put in place the adequate systems and processes that are required to help move the school forward.

“I cannot ignore the fact that under the stewardship of E-ACT this school has not prospered as it should have, but I would not want to lose the progress already made to date since the Ofsted report.

“I have therefore decided that Willenhall E-ACT academy will remain with E-ACT for at least the next 12 months.

“E-ACT will be held to account for work to improve the school. Should improvements be slow to progress, consideration will be given to re-brokering the academy to a new academy trust.”

Mr Hughes said: “I am pleased the National Schools Commissioner has responded to my letter by personally intervening in the ongoing issues at Willenhall E-ACT Academy. I am also pleased that all options remain on the table to ensure progress is made in turning the school around.”

The trust was unavailable for comment.