By Gavin Mackintosh-
An Ofsted report has placed a school for boys with emotional and mental health difficulties, into special measures following revelations of inadequate safety standards and behavioral issues.
Special measures refers to a school which is both: failing to provide its pupils with an acceptable standard of education. not showing the capacity to make the improve
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The scathing report, which followed a two-day inspection in July, highlighted a litany of disturbing issues within the school. Ofsted inspectors expressed profound concerns about the well-being of the students at Lea Hall Academy.
The report outlined that children were unsafe, with instances of rampant swearing, homophobic, and racist language going unchallenged.
In a damning assessment, the inspectors observed that “pupils’ behavior in nearly all classes is disruptive and, at times, chaotic.” Moreover, students exhibited a lack of respect toward each other, and they rarely followed staff instructions.
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Over time, the leadership’s ambition waned, resulting in an exceptionally poor quality of education for almost all students.
Inadequate Educational Provision
The report indicated that pupils’ educational experiences were significantly compromised. Inspectors revealed that the school offered a poor curriculum in the primary provision and no curriculum in key stage 3.
As a result, students were learning very little, and in some cases, nothing at all. The absence of a robust support system for personal development further exacerbated the students’ challenges.
However, the report also acknowledged that when provided with positive and enriching experiences, the students demonstrated their potential. A recent musical performance showcased their engagement, ability to appreciate others, and capacity to achieve. These moments of success highlighted the students’ untapped capabilities.
Significant Staffing Turbulence
Ofsted inspectors noted that Lea Hall Academy had experienced significant turbulence in staffing over the past two years, which included changes in leadership and management. Despite these challenges, the trust responsible for the school’s operation has since stabilized the leadership.
The report stated, “The trust that runs the school has now stabilised leadership.” It further highlighted that leaders had worked diligently to address some of the major inadequacies in safeguarding and had provided specialist support to rectify concerns.
Safeguarding Remains a Major Issue
However, the report noted that safeguarding remained a major concern within the school. Pupils’ absence rates were high, and there was no consistent approach to managing their behavior. Expectations of both leaders and staff were reported as being exceedingly low, and the staff often lacked the necessary skills to
effectively challenge and manage poor behavior.
This included derogatory language and swearing, which, when unaddressed, led to the escalation of low-level misbehaviors.
Efforts to Address Weaknesses
Lea Hall Academy, a part of the Forward Education Trust, currently has 84 boys on its roll, ranging from five to 15 years of age. The school converted into an academy in September 2021, and the Ofsted inspection was the first since the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response to the Ofsted report, the Forward Education Trust stated that they are taking immediate action to address the weaknesses outlined. Parents and carers have been informed that their children are safe at Lea Hall Academy.
The school asserts that pupils’ behavior is rapidly improving, with robust mechanisms in place to monitor and improve attendance. The curriculum is also undergoing enhancements, notably in the teaching of reading, which the report identified as a major area for improvement.
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