An Oldham secondary school has received a damning progress report from Ofsted inspectors – less than a year after it was ordered to improve.
Last February, Blessed John Henry Newman RC College was found to be either inadequate or requiring improvement in all four key indicators set by Ofsted.
Inspectors returned last month to carry out a serious weaknesses monitoring inspection – and deemed the school was not doing enough to improve.
The original report had identified the quality of marking and teaching and worryingly slow progress from all students in maths and English as areas which needed tackling.
But, despite external support from two schools in the local area deemed outstanding by Ofsted, Blessed John Henry Newman RC College – which moved into its new site in 2012 – was found to still be some way from moving out of its ‘serious weakness designation’ last month.
Inspector Charles Lowry praised improvements in teaching, with now more than half of the staff being of a ‘good or better’ standard, alongside improved behaviour.
However, he said in his latest report: “Students’ progress in mathematics and English has been below the government’s minimum expectations for the past two years.”
There is also a below average attainment for students in history, physical education, electronic products, food technology and social studies.
Mr Lowry also criticised the new marking scheme that, while an improvement on previous iterations, was ‘not being implemented consistently’ by teachers.
For now the college will retain its ‘serious weaknesses’ designation until inspectors are satisfied that it has made the necessary improvements.
No one at the school was available for comment.
Image courtesy of Peter Thwaite via Geograph, with thanks.
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