Academy rated '˜inadequate' by Ofsted

An academy which opened just over two years ago has been rated '˜inadequate' by Ofsted.
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A team of inspectors, led by Theresa Phillips, judged Ormiston Six Villages Academy, in Lime Avenue, Westergate, to need “significant improvement”.

Inadequate teaching levels, students’ under-achievement in maths and teachers’ low expectations of students were among some of the problems highlighted in their report, published on March 9.

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Ms Phillips found the academy’s use of additional government funding to help disadvantaged pupils had been “ineffective” and the achievements of these pupils “inadequate”.

The academy underwent a number of changes recently, with new heads of department in maths and science starting last term.

In addition, the governing body was replaced in October and a new principal – Umbar Sharif – took up her post in January.

Ms Phillips recognised the changes but said there had been too little time for them to impact fully on the quality of teaching or learning.

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She said: “The new governing body has a better understanding of the weaknesses in the school. They now hold the school’s leadership to account. The executive principal has brought clarity and a clear vision for improvement.”

Ms Sharif said: “The report outcome is disappointing, but it recognises interventions and improvements were already being made and that there is confidence in the new academy leadership team, who have stabilised the academy, working closely with Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT).

“Rapid improvement has continued since the inspection – a full independent, external review of the mathematics department has been undertaken and recommendations are being put into practice; staff have received further training around raising the level of challenge in all lessons and; a new strategy has been put in place to focus in even greater detail on outcomes for students eligible for Pupil Premium funding.”

OAT CEO Toby Salt said the trust was disappointed with the outcome of the report and acknowledged there was “important work to be done”.

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He added: “Transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but we are confident that the foundations are in place, with new principal Umbar Sharif at the helm and executive principal Rob Carter and OAT supporting, for Ormiston Six Villages to flourish.”

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