A HYDE school placed into special measures has been told it is improving – but it cannot exit them yet.
Thomas Ashton, which is for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), was deemed inadequate after Ofsted inspectors found many faults, including pupils not receiving a ‘meaningful and appropriate education.’
Behaviour management, including aggression, was also cited and its then governors heavily criticised.
Now after a monitoring visit, the Bennett Street facility has been told it has got better but more still needs to be done.
Inspector Rebecca Sharples said in a letter: “Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to no longer be judged as requiring special measures.”
Following the damning inspection, a new head, Nicola Crookshank, was appointed and the entire governing body resigned, leaving Tameside Council to appoint a new one and Thomas Ashton is set to join a trust in January 2025.
And the inspector spotted a new approach taking effect during her visit.
The report adds: “The school has made improving pupils’ behaviour it’s top priority. It has reviewed its approach to behaviour management to create a more focused learning environment.
“It has recently introduced new procedures which outline a clearer allocation of responsibilities at all levels. This has ensured that everyone in the school is clear about their role in managing pupils’ behaviour.
“There are some early signs that, for most pupils, this new approach is working well and that disruption in lessons is reducing.
“However, some pupils do not receive the support that they need to make sure that they can rejoin their class quickly and continue with their learning. This means a small number are not accessing the full curriculum.”
A new attitude towards pupils’ absence and leadership from governors is also seeing benefits at Thomas Ashton.
But the inspector said more must be done to tackle low attendance rates – and reopening its library will help in future.
She continued: “The school has begun to analyse the reasons for pupils’ absence more closely.
“This is leading to a more personalised approach to supporting parents to make sure that pupils attend school regularly. This has made a difference to some pupils.
“Even so, attendance rates remain low compared to the national average. Many pupils continue to miss considerable periods of time away from school. This has a negative impact on their achievement.
“The school, with support from the trust, has started to develop the curriculum. This is in the early stages of development, as the school has focused on the more pressing issues linked to pupils’ behaviour.
“While there are signs of improvement in some subjects, the way in which the curriculum is delivered in other subjects remains variable. Improving the curriculum further is the school’s next priority.
“The school’s work to foster a love of reading across the school is at an earlier stage of development. Many pupils do not enjoy reading. This is because pupils do not know how to find books that are appropriate to their age and interests.
“The school has plans to reopen the library to encourage pupils to find books that they will enjoy.
“The school has accepted the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection. It has an accurate understanding of the progress that is being made against the areas for improvement. The school has correctly identified the next stage of its development.
“Support has been used in a well-considered way to accelerate improvement. For example, there is greater oversight and challenge, particularly around safeguarding and governance.
“Staff recognise the considerable changes that have occurred. They appreciate the difference that these are making to the pupils and to themselves.
“New members of the governing body have the experience and expertise to strengthen leadership capacity.
“Governors are better informed about the progress that is being made to tackle the shortcomings at the school.
“For example, they analyse attendance and behaviour data and use this information to ask relevant and challenging questions.”
Thomas Ashton will have more monitoring visits while it remains in special measures and it cannot appoint early career teachers before the next such occasion.