Failing Wednesfield High Academy making improvements
A once-failing academy has made a 'steady rate of improvement' according to revisit by education watchdogs.
Wednesfield High Academy was rated inadequate following an inspection by Ofsted in January.
But a revisit by inspectors last month has found leaders and managers taking action towards the removal of special measures imposed on the school.
The academy is part of the University of Wolverhampton’s Education Central Multi-Academy Trust.
The report highlighted that the rate of improvement had accelerated with the appointment of a new headteacher, Clive Jones.
He previously held the position of senior vice principal at the South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy.
Inspectors also noted that both the trust’s statement of action and the school’s improvement plan were fit for purpose.
It said weaknesses on behaviour and safeguarding issues had been identified, addressed and rectified.
Teaching has also shown signs of improvement, according to the report.
But inspectors said there was still more work to do to improve quality and consistency.
Headteacher Clive Jones said: “We’re really pleased with the first monitoring report as it highlights clear signs of improvement and that the academy is moving in the right direction.
“Since the original Ofsted inspection in January we have worked with Education Central Multi-Academy Trust to put plans in place to turn the academy around and take it out of special measures.
“I’m heartened that the inspectors have seen that those plans are starting to have an impact. I’m particularly pleased that previous areas of weakness in terms of safeguarding and behaviour have been identified as being addressed and that pupils say they feel safe in school.
“But we aren’t being complacent. Clearly there is still a lot of hard work to do in certain areas and we will continue to address those areas through our plan.”
Professor Michelle Lowe, chief executive of Education Central Multi-Academy Trust, said: “I’m personally pleased for the academy, the new head teacher and the staff.
“Everyone has worked exceptionally hard in order to address the issues identified by Ofsted and implement change and improvements across the school.
“There has been a lot of negativity about Wednesfield in recent months so it is welcome to note the hugely positive aspects of the monitoring report.
“There is still plenty more to do and there are a number of areas we know we need to address. The trust will work closely with the academy in a bid to continue that positive upwards trajectory.”
Wednesfield joined Education Central Multi-Academy Trust in January 2015.
