The people in charge of a school in Leeds that has been to boost exam results "could not convincingly explain" how children were benefiting from being moved to another school, say Ofsted.
In October, the education watchdog inspected The Farnley Academy and The Stephen Longfellow Academy, which is a school for children who struggle in mainstream education. Both are run by GORSE Academies Trust.
GORSE had been to transfer "anchor students" from The Farnley Academy to The Stephen Longfellow Academy, which were outlined in a document published three years ago, but Sir John Townsley, chief executive of the academies trust, denied the allegation.
Ofsted concluded that The Farnley Academy, which was rated outstanding in 2013, now requires improvement and raised concerns about the leadership and management of the secondary school.
'Leaders could not convincingly explain why it was in each pupil’s best interests to move'
The Ofsted report says some pupils "do not engage in their learning as positively as they should" and some feel isolated from lessons.
It adds: "Several parents have chosen to home educate their children. Other pupils are moved from The Farnley Academy onto the roll of the trust’s alternative provision (The Stephen Longfellow Academy).
"Leaders could not convincingly explain why it was in each pupil’s best interests to move to the roll of the alternative provision, particularly during Year 11."
The report also states that school governors and trustees "have not had sufficient oversight of the school’s use of alternative provision and the reasons why pupils leave the school’s roll."
However, inspectors also say the school "provides a good quality of education" and that "pupils’ personal development is promoted exceptionally well."
They say it is "a calm and well-organised place to learn" where many pupils are hard working, well behaved and "keen to succeed".
GORSE claims the report shows that pupils at The Farnley Academy were not off-rolled.
'We always act in the best interests of pupils'
A spokesman for the trust said: “Anyone who spends time at The Farnley Academy knows that it is also a brilliant school which has, for many years, achieved amazing things for its pupils and this community.
"Today’s Ofsted report highlights numerous positive aspects of the school, including that pupils’ personal development is outstanding, that the quality of education is good and that pupils feel safe and well-cared for in school.
"We are very proud of these findings and many more.
“We also recognise that Ofsted says we have not been sufficiently conscientious to ensure that our record-keeping and administration processes around how we support some of our most challenging pupils have been of the standard both we and Ofsted expect.
"We got this wrong and we apologise.
"We make a firm and clear commitment to ensuring that this area of our work is improved so that it matches the clear areas of excellence rightly identified by Ofsted in its report.
"We are clear that we always act in the best interests of pupils, and many of the pupils who transferred from Farnley joined The Stephen Longfellow Academy, which is today commended by Ofsted.”
'Pupils are proud to go to The Stephen Longfellow Academy'
The Stephen Longfellow Academy was praised by Ofsted inspectors and given an overall rating of good.
The Ofsted report states: "Leaders want the very best for pupils and have established an effective alternative provision in a short period of time.
"Staff are fully on board. Leaders and staff are working together well to make this school even better for the benefit of its pupils and their families."
It adds: "Pupils study a wide range of subjects. All teachers expect pupils to do well. By the end of Year 11, pupils sit a range of examinations. The careers guidance that they receive is excellent.
"The majority of pupils move on to college or a job when they leave. Pupils are proud to go to The Stephen Longfellow Academy."
A GORSE spokesman said the academies trust is "delighted" with the report.
He added: "The Stephen Longfellow Academy, is so positive, with inspectors rating it as good in all areas.
"Ofsted speaks of how quickly pupils’ behaviour improves after they join, and how the school wants the very best for the children and young people who attend it."
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