Telford secondary school is branded inadequate
A secondary school in Telford today insisted it was addressing issues after being branded inadequate by government inspectors.
Charlton School in Dothill received the worst possible rating from Ofsted following a two-day visit in May this year.
The results have only just been made public and come after Charlton was rated good when it was previously inspected in 2011.
The school will now be monitored closely – but governors said "immediate and significant action" had already been taken to address the issues in the report.
Ofsted said standards of achievement at the school in Severn Drive had declined over the past three years and criticised leaders for not taking "urgent, decisive action to reverse this trend".
Inspectors said teaching was "not good enough" to ensure all pupils made good progress.
The report said school leaders had an "unrealistic and over-generous" view of how well the school was doing.
Inspectors said the behaviour of students also required improvement because there was "low-level disruption" in too many lessons.
But inspectors did say the school was a "caring community" and recognised that pupils felt safe there.
"The social, moral and cultural development of students is good," it said.
Headteacher Mr Nick Renshaw said: "The school's governors are committed to addressing the issues identified, ensuring that all pupils receive the education and opportunities they deserve, and that Charlton School continues to be the successful community it has always been.
"Immediate and significant action has been taken in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council and with the advice of expert external guidance.
"Parents and students can rest assured that the necessary changes are taking place to ensure that the school improves rapidly after this recent change in circumstances."
