A plan focused on improving Northampton International Academy is already underway following an Ofsted inspection at the start of February.
The school received an overall inadequate rating following the Ofsted inspection which found several areas which need to be improved including issues around behaviour and attitudes and leadership and management.
Northampton International Academy headteacher Dr Jo Trevenna said: “While we are obviously disappointed to receive an inadequate rating, and to receive Ofsted’s feedback about their findings on the day, we fully accept the report and work is already underway to turn things around.
“Many of comments from Ofsted are in line with our own understanding about what needs to change. In particular it was very useful to hear the feedback Ofsted received from staff and pupils, and we will continue to build on this and listen to the wider school community to ensure that we are moving in the right direction.
“There were some positives identified within the inspection including the work that has started around the curriculum and while this feedback was welcome, it’s clear there is much more to do.
“The past two years have been unprecedented and a hugely challenging time for the school but we want to reassure everyone, including our pupils and their families, that we are not making excuses. Instead we acknowledge that significant change needs to be made and our efforts need to continue so that this school can become what it has the potential to be and where our pupils can thrive.”
The plan outlines key priorities for the school to focus on. These include work to:
- Improve pupils’ behaviour, conduct and attitudes so that all pupils are ready to learn, behave safely and show respect for all
- Ensure that for all subjects and in all year groups there is a well-planned and sequenced curriculum that is taught consistently well and enables all pupils to achieve well.
- Ensure that reading is taught consistently well so that pupils gain the reading and comprehension skills they need and develop a love of reading.
- Improve the school culture by ensuring all staff effectively promote pupils’ personal development to increase aspiration and pupils understand how to keep safe and the importance of respecting others.
- Ensure systems for recording, communicating and improving attendance are fully effective and help keep pupils safe.
- To further develop the effectiveness of leaders at all levels, including governors, in enabling effective and sustained improvement.
CEO for the East Midlands Academy Trust Joshua Coleman said: “Although we expected this to be a challenging inspection, the issues raised by Ofsted are significant and need to be addressed quickly and effectively.
“That's why the improvement plan is already underway plus we’ve strengthened the school’s leadership team by adding extra capacity and experience. We also invited the Department of Education’s lead behaviour advisor Tom Bennett to come in and spend time at the school and support this improvement journey.
“We would like to see Ofsted return to the school in the next month to be able to see the impact of the changes being made, and look at scheduling another inspection to move the school out of the inadequate rating quickly so we can focus on educating our pupils. We are absolutely determined to do everything we can do to support the school to make the changes and improvements needed to return to its previous Good rating.”