'Huge amount of progress' at Scarborough primary school since inadequate Ofsted report

Progress is being made at a Scarborough primary school requiring dramatic improvements after an ‘Inadequate’ Ofsted inspection.
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In a letter to David Ross Education Trust, which runs Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, Regional Schools Commissioner for the North Katherine Cowell said she is satisfied that the trust is currently “taking decisive action and has the capacity to improve the school”.

Her letter was triggered by the ‘Inadequate’ Ofsted rating given earlier this year following an inspection by the education watchdog.

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In it, she warned funding can be removed from failing academies but said she had been told at meetings with trust staff that significant progress has already been made.

Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, ScarboroughThomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, Scarborough
Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, Scarborough

She was also told of a new senior leadership team at the school; new, energetic and experienced teachers; improved parental engagement and strong attendance figures.

The commissioner will meet with members of the trust again next month to determine whether sustainable improvement is in place.

In their report, Ofsted inspectors had raised concerns including about attendance and children falling behind in their studies.

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They also said staff morale was low and expectations of what pupils can achieve were not high enough.

Stuart Burns, Chief Executive of the David Ross Education Trust said: “There has been a huge amount of progress since the original Ofsted inspection back in February.

“We have had several meetings with the Regional Schools Commissioner to discuss the progress made, have been working closely with the local authority, and we have every confidence the academy will continue to go from strength to strength.

“Under Dominique Osborne’s excellent leadership, Thomas Hinderwell has turned a real corner, and we look forward to meeting with the Regional Schools Commissioner again in January to share news of further improvements.

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“There are a number of schools in North Yorkshire who are rated the same as Thomas Hinderwell and we expect to be one of the first to see an improved grading once Ofsted begin their full inspections next summer.

“As well as transforming Thomas Hinderwell, we are committed to helping other local schools come out of special measures as well.”

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