A SCHOOL is making significant improvements six months after a damning Ofsted report found it had ‘serious weaknesses’.
A monitoring inspection at Rugby Free Secondary School (RFSS) found it was taking effective action to improve.
An inspector said the school’s new behavior policy was having ‘a significant impact on improving standards of behaviour’.
Inspector Lesley Yates said the school was ‘calm and orderly’, and pupils, staff and parents said behaviour had significantly improved.
She added staff morale was high due to being well-supported by leaders.
She said acting head teacher Samirah Roberts, appointed in September, had “galvanised the staff and provided a strong role model for senior and middle leaders, and made some significant changes in order to instigate the necessary improvements across the school.”
She added: “The trustees, CEO and acting headteacher share a clear and ambitious vision for the school and for what the pupils can achieve. They work together to get things done. They continue to review and evaluate their actions. This ensures continual improvement.
“While there are clear improvements in some aspects of the school’s performance, some key weaknesses remain.”
Following an inspection last July, the Academy school was placed in ‘Category 4: Inadequate with Serious Weaknesses’ by the education watchdog after the report revealed ineffective teaching, low morale and disruptive behaviour were rife, in its first Ofsted report since opening in 2016.
The school is due to move to new purpose-built premises in February, pictured in an artist’s impression.
A spokesperson for the Learning Today Leading Tomorrow trust which runs the school said the outcome of the monitoring visit marked ‘an important milestone in our journey’.
CEO Brenda Mullen said: “We are delighted with the progress that the school is making under Miss Roberts’ inspirational leadership.
“Ofsted recognised that the rapid improvement is sustainable and will ultimately lead to a good Ofsted outcome at the next full inspection.
“There is still some way to go, but staff morale has remained high as we prepare to move into our state-of-the-art new building. However, we will not be complacent and the whole team is committed to working together as we continue on this important journey.”
The school is due to move out of its temporary Anderson Avenue home to new purpose-built premises in nearby Long Furlong in February.
Visit www.rugbyfreesecondary.co.uk/ofsted to read the full monitoring inspection report.
