A school in Wigan still has to improve reading and attendance following their first Ofsted under a new academy trust, a report states.
Dean Trust Rose Bridge was rated as ‘Requires Improvement’ by inspectors, which is one grade up from ‘Inadequate’ which was their status under their old name of Rose Bridge Academy. The school joined the Dean Trust multi-academy trust and reopened in February 2019.
The Ince-based school was criticised by inspectors for their quality of education and the pupil’s attention which ‘contributes considerably to the underachievement of some pupils’.
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“In some subjects, leaders have thought carefully about the essential knowledge that they want pupils to learn,” the report published by Ofsted on May 4. “They have organised the curriculum well so that pupils can deepen their learning over time.
“As a result, in these subjects, pupils are learning increasingly well.
“In other subjects, leaders’ curriculum thinking is at an earlier stage. These subject leaders have thought about the broad topics they want pupils to learn.
“However, they have not sufficiently considered the key knowledge within these topics that they want pupils to retain. In these subjects, pupils do not develop a rich body of subject knowledge.
“They are not as well prepared for the next stage of their education as they should be.”
During their visit to the Holt Street site on March 7 and 8, inspectors did note that behaviour and attitude, personal development and leadership and management were all in the ‘Good’ category. However it was the rating of education that brought the secondary school down in their overall score.
Despite finding that leaders have committed to ensuring that all pupils read well, ‘some older pupils do not read confidently and fluently’, the report stated. Inspectors said this ‘hampers their ability to fully access the wider curriculum’.
They believe these pupils have not benefited from the support now in place for the lower years.
“The positive culture that leaders have established means that pupils can learn without disruption,” the report continued. “Leaders are also working tenaciously to ensure that pupils attend school regularly.
“The programme for pupils’ wider development is strong. This prepares pupils especially well for life in modern Britain.
“For example, pupils spoke confidently about what constitutes a healthy relationship and about sexual consent. Pupils also engage in meaningful debate about topical issues. They are keen to promote equality and diversity, and they demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the protected characteristics.”
After speaking to the children themselves, inspectors found they ‘feel happy and safe when they are in school’ and praised staff for their connection with the pupils. Ofsted also credited the school for their high expectations for what students can achieve and their behaviour standards.
A statement fromTarun Kapur CBE, Chief Executive at The Dean Trust, said: "The Trust is really pleased that in the majority of categories Dean Trust Rose Bridge have improved from Grade 4 to Grade 2. The Quality of Education grade is part of the legacy of the past and we would expect this to improve as Ofsted quite rightly recognise that we have all other building blocks in place that have been judged as ‘Good’.
"The school community are very proud of the progress that the school has made since becoming a Dean Trust school."
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