Staff at Ryde Academy were called to a meeting yesterday to hear the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection that took place in April.
OnTheWight had heard encouraging whispers following the inspection, but understands the first report since becoming an Academy reveals that although the school has escaped Special Measures, the Inspector found serious weaknesses in at least three areas.
We understand the Inspector awarded the Academy ‘3’ (Requires Improvement) for achievement of pupils, quality of teaching and leadership and management, but ‘4’ (Inadequate) for behaviour and safety of pupils.
Strengths highlighted
The inspector also highlighted several strengths at the school since it became an Academy.
- Improved examination results for students
- Improved attendance and punctuality for all students
- Improved teaching particularly in English and Maths
- Improved Post 16 provision
- Leaders including the Governing Body demonstrate the capacity to bring about improvement
AET barred from taking on new Academies
Back in March OnTheWight reported that the Academy sponsor, AET, had been barred from taking on any new Academies, until standards at their 66 Academies are improved.
Update: 16.25
Mike Barnett, Publicity Consultant for AET told OnTheWight,
The headline and story in The Times in March 2013 that we have been ‘banned’ from taking on more academies is untrue. We are the largest multi-sponsor in England and we currently have 70 academies. Because of the rate of expansion we agreed with the DfE last summer that after taking on a number of applications ‘in the pipeline’ that we would ‘pause and consolidate’ our network.
The number is expected to be 74 in July and is expected to grow to 80 in September. The latest one to join us was a Swindon primary from 1 June.
Update 21:07 – The Ofsted report has now been made public
Other schools
Across the Isle of Wight three out of six Secondary Schools are in Special Measures, Cowes Enterprise College, Sandown Bay Academy and Carisbrooke College.
The outcome of Medina College‘s inspection found the College requiring improvement.
Christ The King College was awarded ‘Good’ from Ofsted following its inspection in 2012.
Image: Google Street View
