Two Birmingham secondary schools will begin the new academic year in September under special measures after Ofsted inspections concluded both were failing to provide an acceptable standard of education. Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School in Acocks Green and Moseley School and Sixth Form in Wake Green Road have both received the watchdog's harshest judgement, placing their leadership teams under immediate pressure to deliver rapid improvements.
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School placed in special measures
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School, which has more than 1,100 pupils, was recently placed into special measures amid a number of serious concerns. Inspectors witnessed unruly behaviour from some pupils, including the use of racist and sexist language. The school received three 'urgent improvement' ratings, the worst possible grade, in the important areas of attendance and behaviour, and leadership and governance.
Ofsted reported that a "significant minority of pupils are boisterous" in corridors, pushing other children and play fighting, making others "feel unsafe". Inspectors added: "Leaders have not ensured that pupils receive an acceptable standard of education. They are aware of what needs to improve. However, their actions have not been effective in bringing about the necessary improvements."
Trust responds with interim leadership
The trust that runs Archbishop Ilsley said it "accept[s] these findings in full" and was determined to make rapid improvements. In a statement, the trust said: "We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, irrespective of their needs, receive the high-quality education, support and inclusive provision they are entitled to. We recognise that this is not yet consistently the case. In response, interim leadership arrangements have been put in place to provide additional capacity and to support rapid improvement."
Moseley School and Sixth Form also in special measures
Moseley School and Sixth Form tumbled into special measures earlier this year. Ofsted believes teaching and leadership at the Wake Green Road secondary fall way below expected standards. The school was handed 'urgent improvement' ratings in the crucial areas of curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance.
Ofsted said of teaching: "Leaders are aware that the quality of education has declined over time. They know that many weaknesses exist yet have acted too slowly to address these." Inspectors concluded: "Leaders have failed to take appropriate and timely action to identify and address weaknesses at the school. As a result, standards in pupils' outcomes have fallen, the quality of teaching has declined and pupils' behaviours and attitudes have worsened. Actions to address these issues have only very recently been implemented. It is too soon to identify any impact of this work."
School leaders said in April they accepted "standards across the school have not been where they need to be", adding "work to address this is already under way".
Return visits expected
Inspectors may soon make return visits to both schools to assess whether any improvements have been made. The two institutions are ranked among the worst secondary schools in the West Midlands, and both enter the new academic year under a cloud, with leaders hoping for better times ahead.
