'inadequate' school must remain in special measures following Ofsted follow-up visit

A Tameside School which was rated by Ofsted inspectors as 'inadequate' must remain in special measures.

Thomas Ashton School in Hyde - which caters for children with disabilities and special educational needs - was placed in special measures after receiving the lowest possible Ofsted rating last year.

Now, following a monitoring visit by inspectors, the school has been told it's status must remain unchanged and a ban on employing trainee teachers will not be lifted.

In a letter to headteacher Nicola Crookshank at the Bennett Road School, inspector Rebecca Sharples said: "Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to no longer be judged as requiring special measures.

"The school may not appoint early career teachers before the next monitoring inspection."

She added: "The school has made improving pupils’ behaviour it’s top priority.

"It has reviewed its approach to behaviour management to create a more focused learning environment. It has recently introduced new procedures which outline a clearer allocation of responsibilities at all levels.

"This has ensured that everyone in the school is clear about their role in managing pupils’ behaviour. Additional training means that staff are suitably equipped to implement the agreed approach.

"Leaders, alongside the pastoral team, are becoming more strategic in their approach to monitoring behaviour and responding to the trends that they have identified.

"There are some early signs that, for most pupils, this new approach is working well and that disruption in lessons is reducing. However, some pupils do not receive the support that they need to make sure that they can rejoin their class quickly and continue with their learning.

"This means a small number of pupils are not accessing the full curriculum. The school has begun to analyse the reasons for pupils’ absence more closely.

"This is leading to a more personalised approach to supporting parents to make sure that pupils attend school regularly. This has made a difference to some pupils.

"Even so, attendance rates remain low compared to the national average. Many pupils continue to miss considerable periods of time away from school. This has a negative impact on their achievement."

Last year's Ofsted report, which came before the appointment of Ms Crookshank, said the school failed to offer ‘meaningful and appropriate education'. to its pupils.

However, Ms Sharples said the school had made some significant inprovements.

She said: "Since the last inspection, the school has made reading a high priority.

"It has identified those pupils with gaps in their reading knowledge and it has introduced a programme to help pupils who find reading difficult. The school is taking suitable action to better check how well pupils can read.

"These checks now identify pupils who need extra help with their reading more quickly than before. These pupils are receiving phonics sessions and help to build their vocabulary.

"The school has trained all teachers in phonics delivery to ensure that they can support struggling readers in their lessons when needed. As a result, pupils are becoming increasingly fluent and confident readers who can access the curriculum. However, the school’s work to foster a love of reading across the school is at an earlier stage of development.

"Many pupils do not enjoy reading. This is because pupils do not know how to find books that are appropriate to their age and interests. The school has plans to reopen the library to encourage pupils to find books that they will enjoy.

"The school has accepted the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection. It has an accurate understanding of the progress that is being made against the areas for improvement.

"The school has correctly identified the next stage of its development. The school has welcomed and accepted the external support and expertise provided by the trust.

"This support has been used in a well-considered way to accelerate improvement. For example, there is greater oversight and challenge, particularly around safeguarding and governance. Staff recognise the considerable changes that have occurred. They appreciate the difference that these are making to the pupils and to themselves."

Further monitoring visits will help inspectors decide if the school can be taken out of special measures.