Telford school 'going in the right direction' to get out of special measures

Telford Langley School, in Dawley, was placed in special measures after an inspection by the education watchdog last February. A new report after a follow-up inspection last month said teaching and pupil behaviour were now improving, but further progress was needed.

Inspectors said outcomes for pupils who left the academy after completing their examinations in 2015 remained below floor standards, but it was not unexpected.

The report said teaching at the academy was improving but remained "inconsistent" and was not yet good enough to raise standards at the pace needed for all pupils.

In the report, inspector Chris Chapman said: "In some subjects, particularly science and modern foreign languages, a lack of skilled, specialist, permanent teachers has had a detrimental impact of pupils' learning over time. Where learning is weaker, pupils' progress is held back by teachers' low expectations and poor consideration of pupils' abilities when planning lessons.

"Work is set that does not challenge pupils to achieve what they are capable of. At times, teachers accept work that is of a poor standard and badly presented, particularly from boys."

It said learning was at its best when it was shaped by teachers' high expectations and strong subject knowledge and homework was now being set more regularly.

Staff and pupils spoken to during the inspection felt that standards of behaviour had improved rapidly since September, according to the report.

Inspectors said attendance was also improving. However too many pupils, particularly in key stage four, were regularly absent and nearly a third of pupils in Year 10 "do not attend well".

The academy, formerly the Phoenix Academy, became officially sponsored by the Community Academies Trust in November and a staff restructuring took place towards the end of the last academic year.

The former governing body was also dissolved and governance duties are now being undertaken by an education advisory board.

The report added: "The clear strategic vision and ambition of the executive head of school and Community Academies Trust, supported by an able team of deputy headteachers, is now beginning to have an impact on standards.

"The academy is taking effective action towards the removal of special measures."

Headteacher Steve Carter said: "We are very pleased Ofsted has recognised the rapid improvements, particularly since September."