Stoke Gifford’s Abbeywood Community School has been placed into special measures by Ofsted.
The school, formerly known as Filton High, was visited by inspectors at the beginning of December and their report was sent home to parents/carers yesterday (Monday 30th January).
Ofsted had previously served the school with “notice to improve” following an inspection in October 2010. A monitoring inspection in May 2011 concluded that “satisfactory progress” was being made but the school suffered a setback in October 2011 when headteacher Ann Duff left suddenly – to be replaced by Dave Baker of Bradley Stoke Community School.
In the latest report, lead inspector Karl Sampson says the school has not been providing an acceptable standard of education, adding:
“The curriculum and systems for providing care, guidance and support do not meet the learning needs of all students.”
South Gloucestershire Council’s Director for Children and Young People, Therese Gillespie, said:
“While we are disappointed with the outcome of the recent inspection at Abbeywood Community School, we have full confidence in the current leadership of the school to bring about the necessary improvements.
“Dave Baker, as executive head teacher, has already made an excellent start at the school and we look forward to working closely with him and the governors of the school as they take forward the clear plans for improvement.”
Mr Baker recently announced a new “get tough” regime at the school – including a ban on mobile phones, a crackdown on uniforms and zero tolerance on lateness.
Writing to parents in the latest school newsletter, Mr Baker said:
“I would like to offer thanks to you for the strong support you have given to the new expectations introduced at the start of this term; we have seen a dramatic change in culture and an improvement in behaviour in school which has created a positive atmosphere for learning in lessons and much more conversation between students at break and lunchtime.”
“Teachers are saying that the distraction created by non‐uniform items and mobile phones has virtually disappeared as students have understood that they need to comply with expectations and this is enabling a full focus on teaching and learning – this is an incredibly positive start to the year.”
“There are a small number of students who have been defiant and unwilling to align themselves with the new expectations and I hope you will be reassured to hear that there will be an enhanced focus on them for the next few weeks to ensure that they are not allowed to disrupt other people’s learning.”
Parents of students at the school have been invited to a meeting on Monday 6th February “to hear how the school plans to respond to the key issues raised in the report”.
Related link: Schools & Colleges in Stoke Gifford (The Journal)
