Ofsted

17th May 2018

 

Dear Parents,

 

At the bottom of this letter there is a link to the Ofsted report following our inspection in February.

The overall effectiveness of the school has been judged to be inadequate and the school placed in special measures.

 

Whilst Governors and staff are extremely disappointed by this outcome, we are unanimously resolute in our commitment to implement the improvements needed with immediate effect so that the school improves rapidly.

 

The report recognises the impact of frequent changes and instability in staffing over the past two years, which have hindered school improvement. Recruiting and retaining good teachers and ensuring that we have the capacity for leaders to make frequent checks on provision and standards in learning, teaching and assessment will be our priority. We have already appointed an Assistant Head as well as an Early Years Leader, increasing the capacity of leadership levels as identified.

 

As the report states, we fully understand what needs to improve and work has already begun to thoroughly address the issues raised so that improvements will be sustained and embedded.

 

We are encouraged and very pleased that the report also celebrates the areas of strength within the school. Teaching in the early years and the personal development, behaviour and welfare of pupils throughout school were judged to be good. They refer to the pupils as polite, respectful and confident - we are extremely proud of the children.

 

They also comment positively about the broad and balanced curriculum and the enhanced opportunities offered to pupils at Two Gates. The positive culture of safeguarding was recognised as a strength and in particular how we ensure that safeguarding has a high priority within the curriculum so that pupils know how to keep themselves safe online and in the community.

 

Our drive to raise standards in phonics through the introduction of a new scheme this year was judged to be having a positive impact on pupil outcomes.

 

As a result of being subject to special measures, the school will be issued with an Academy Order and converted to an academy when a suitable Multi Academy Trust is identified as a sponsor. Governors have already started investigating options and we have secured the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership as our School Improvement Partner to support us. The Partnership is a highly respected multi-academy trust and teaching school with a proven track record in school improvement. We are delighted that they, too, recognise the potential of the school and we are excited to be working with them.

The report recommended an External Review of Governance, which has already taken place and reassured us that governance of the school is effective in many areas, with areas for improvement identified.

 

We appreciate the support of parents and want to reassure everyone that we will work tirelessly to make the changes necessary to secure best outcomes for our pupils.

Please click for OFSTED Report