The Dukeries Academy, New Ollerton requires improvement says first Ofsted report

The grade three was awarded to the college which has not previously been inspected as an academy, though inspectors praised the Principal Ian Barton as an “inspirational role model” for the school.

Following their inspection in late October, Ofsted recognised the academy is “improving rapidly” under improved leadership, fully supported by the sponsor. It is now “well placed for further improvement”.

Inspectors particularly highlighted the Principal as an “inspirational role model” who has “steered the academy through a period of considerable instability and established a culture of high expectation that is shared by all staff”.

The report noted that while overall the academy was rated ‘requires improvement’; Ian Barton and The Trust are committed to providing high quality teaching and raising pupil’s achievements.

The governing body now has a “clear model” developed with The Trust, providing effective challenge and support. This has ensured significant change has taken place since the school’s conversion in January 2013.

Ian Barton, Principal said: ““This report reflects where we are now and also the good work we are all doing at The Dukeries Academy in bringing about rapid and sustained improvement.

“Moving forward we will continue to improve teaching, as well further advancing key area such as our support for pupils with special needs or disabilities and our sixth form.

“Therefore we will be working tirelessly with our sponsor to make the changes needed so all our pupils receive the first class education that they deserve.”

Criticisms included achievement, particularly in mathematics, and especially that of disabled students and those who have special ducational needs, is not as rapid as it needs to be because teaching is not always good enough.

The most-able students are not achieving their very best and too few are reaching the highest standards of achievement at GCSE or post-16.

Teaching is not leading to good progress over time for enough students.

Some teachers do not have sufficiently high expectations of students.

Students’ behaviour requires improvement. In some classes, there is some low level disruption and students do not always engage positively with their learning.

As a result, they make less progress than they should.

Leaders have not yet secured consistently good teaching or achievement across the academy, nor have they ensured that all staff consistently apply the academy’s behaviour policy.

Too many students, who start A-level qualifications in Year 12, fail to complete the first year of their studies.

Opportunities for the personal development of sixth form students are under-developed.

Ofsted acknowledged the quality of its curriculum is a “significant strength of the academy”, as well as a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities on offer to all pupils. For example, in September they launched a new football coaching qualification for post 16 pupils that works in partnership with the Football Association.

Ian Cleland, Chief Executive of Academy Transformation Trust commented: “We are pleased that the report recognises the rapid improvement The Dukeries Academy has made, especially given it achieved its best ever GCSE results this summer.

“We will be working with Ian and his team to ensure that the extensive support that we have provided will continue to improve outcomes and help our all pupils achieve their full potential.”