Neale-Wade Academy in March School rated ‘requires improvement’ for second time

A Fenland secondary school has been found wanting across all areas for a second time following an inspection by Ofsted.

However, the report published today (Friday) said that pupils at the Neale-Wade Academy in March are beginning to benefit from recent improvements.

The school in Wimblington Road was rated ‘requires improvement’ in all aspects from the quality of education to leadership, sixth-form provision, and behaviour.

The Neale-Wade was given the same rating when it was last inspected in 2021 having dropped from ‘good’ in 2016.

In the report, the team of five inspectors, who visited the academy which is part of the Active Learning Trust at the end of October, said older pupils had said behaviour was better than before.

However, the inspectors, led by Dave Gibson, found too many lessons were still being disrupted.

The report said the school has raised the level of ambition for all pupils, and younger pupils in particular benefit from an inspirational new curriculum.

“However, there is significant variability in how the curriculum is delivered. Consequently, not all pupils learn well and make the progress they should,” said the report which continued: “Pupils have experienced significant levels of turbulence in recent months.

“They have seen a high number of changes to staff, including the use of temporary teachers. This has made it difficult to foster and maintain positive relationships.”

On a positive not the inspectors found pupils felt safe, and that bullying is rare.

The report said: “The school has well-established procedures to deal effectively with cases. The majority of pupils are polite and respectful. However, a minority use inappropriate language in social situations.”

It also said: “Recent changes within the trust have made a positive impact on the rate of the school’s improvement. Additional support and capacity have been provided. This is beginning to deliver rapid and sustainable improvement for all pupils.”

But there is inconsistency in the way the curriculum is delivered particularly to the sixth form and for pupils with special educational needs.”

There was criticism to some of the teaching.

“At times, teaching lacks this precision. Explanations are not clear and sometimes confusing. Teaching strategies, including the selection of resources, do not always help pupils learn. This means that some pupils do not understand the key information they have been taught,” said the report.”

But the report said pupils with special educational needs were well supported and their needs accurately identified.

The report continued: “School and trust leaders have a clear and realistic picture of the school and its provision. There are well-thought-out plans to tackle the priorities of the school. Where additional capacity has been added, it is making the school better. The board of trustees works with the executive team to maintain a detailed overview of actions and their impact on the school’s provision.”

The report sets out a number of areas that need addressing in order for the school to improve these include ensuring the behaviour policy is consistently and effectively implemented by all staff.

The school needs to ensure that teachers routinely check all pupils’ understanding of key knowledge and adapt their approaches “to address gaps and misconceptions”.

Paul Farr, executive principal who joins principal Graham Horn in leading the improvement plans at the school said: “Following our recent Ofsted inspection, our commitment to ongoing improvement plans at Neale Wade Academy has only strengthened. Although the overall grade was marked as 'Requires Improvement,' the report acknowledges the positive impact of recent changes implemented at Neale Wade Academy. This recognition is encouraging.

“Inspectors noted that “pupils at Neale Wade Academy are beginning to benefit from recent improvements”, that “the school has raised the level of ambition for all pupils” and “pupils feel safe”.

Graham and I would like to thank everyone at The Active Learning Trust for their support and involvement in our improvement plans.

“Our priority is, as always, to offer the best educational experience for our students - a passion shared by the entire Neale Wade community. We remain dedicated to building on these improvements and striving for an overall 'Good' judgment in the future."