Ofsted inspectors have returned to one of the West Midlands' worst-rated schools and found signs of progress. Shire Oak Academy in Walsall, which was rated 'inadequate' in three key areas in January 2025, is now showing improvements in attendance and behaviour.
Background of the Inspection
In January 2025, inspectors were shocked by the standards at Shire Oak Academy, a secondary school with around 1,300 pupils. The school received inadequate ratings for quality of education, behaviour, and leadership. Behaviour and attendance were particular concerns, with inspectors noting that poor behaviour was too common, lessons were disrupted, and pupils often completed little work.
New Leadership and Progress
A new headteacher was appointed to turn the school around, and their efforts are now paying off. Ofsted's latest monitoring inspection report highlights a unified effort to improve the school. The report states: "There is a unified and collective effort to ensure the school improves so that pupils succeed and thrive."
Trustees and executive leaders have strengthened oversight, challenge, and support for the new leadership team. The initial focus has been on the basics: getting pupils into school, into classrooms, and learning.
Attendance and Behaviour Improvements
The priority given to attendance is beginning to bear fruit. Leaders have put in place suitable systems to record and monitor attendance, and attendance has improved compared to last year. Rates of persistent and severe absence show early signs of improvement. However, inspectors note that there is still work to do to ensure consistent use of systems and timely interventions.
Leaders have also established clear systems for recording and monitoring behaviour. They know which pupils need more support and provide appropriate interventions. As a result, behaviour incidents and suspensions have reduced, and truancy from lessons has decreased significantly. Classrooms are now calmer environments where pupils feel safe and cared for, with less low-level disruption.
The report concludes that the improvements have led to a more positive atmosphere, but all leaders acknowledge that more work is needed to sustain and build on this progress.
