Governors go after scathing Ofsted report of Wolverhampton primary school

Hill Avenue Primary School in Lanesfield was given the lowest rating of 'inadequate' and placed in special measures following an inspection in February.

Inspectors said teaching was 'not good enough' at the 322-pupil school, while some younger pupils were said to be unable to write numbers and got involved in 'rough play' due to insufficient supervision during break times.

The report said that governors had 'failed in their responsibility to prioritise the welfare of pupils' and did not have the skills necessary to challenge senior staff.

Now it has emerged that the entire governing body was asked to leave the school by education chiefs at Wolverhampton council following the publication of the report on March 19.

They refused, but were ousted anyway and replaced with an interim executive board which bosses say 'is better equipped to challenge and support leaders effectively'.

Headteacher Ian Walker left the school in May and was replaced with executive headteacher Anita Cliff from the Manor Primary School National Teaching School in Coseley.

Alex Chilcott, Wolverhampton council's head of school standards, said: "The council has taken decisive action to improve standards at Hill Avenue Primary School, and we are confident that it is making good progress.

"Earlier this year the council brokered support for the school from Manor Primary School National Teaching School and Anita Cliff, as executive headteacher, has led a new senior leadership team who are driving through improvements.

"In response to the Ofsted report, the council also replaced the school's governing body with an interim executive board which is better equipped to challenge and support leaders effectively.

"Over the last few months, intensive work has taken place to improve the quality of teaching and learning, with additional training for teachers and classroom assistants, while the introduction of a new curriculum has identified appropriate, creative and challenging opportunities for pupils."

Ofsted returned to school in May for a monitoring visit and said the school now has an action plan in place that is 'fit for purpose'.

In the follow-up report the watchdog said: "The executive headteacher, ably supported by the deputy headteacher, has brought much-needed direction, purpose and a sense of urgency to the school. A thorough plan is in now in place."

Wolverhampton council carried out a review of the school last week and concluded that 'reasonable progress' was being made against the Ofsted priorities.