OFSTED inspectors have called for Thorns Collegiate Academy in Quarry Bank to be placed in special measures to tackle a raft of concerns following a recent inspection.

The secondary school on Thorns Road, part of the Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, has been rated inadequate following a visit by Ofsted inspectors on February 8.

In a damning report, published on May 9, government inspectors said the school was “failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education” and said leaders, managers and governors were “not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement”.

Personal development, behaviour and attitudes at the school were rated as requiring improvement with leadership and management and the quality of education rated as inadequate, resulting in an overall rating of inadequate and a recommendation by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector that the school requires special measures.

The inspection report states: “Leaders have not made sure pupils receive an acceptable quality of education. Teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve are not high enough.”

It adds that pupils, particularly those with special educational needs or disabilities, make poor progress and leaders do not carry out sufficient checks to ensure the most vulnerable are safe.

It goes on to say: “Too many pupils, including those with SEND, are absent from school too often, and this affects their learning.”

Although it acknowledges leaders aim for pupils to develop an understanding of belonging and self-esteem – it says “there is still work to be done to make sure the planned curriculum matches leaders’ ambitions”.

The report points out that when bullying occurs staff deal with it “quickly and effectively” but inspectors found “some teachers do not consistently challenge behaviour that disrupts pupils’ learning”.

The inspection team, led by Her Majesty’s Inspector Alexander Laney, found “pupils with an EHC plan make poor progress” and “the school’s assessment procedures do not help teachers to identify pupils’ gaps in learning” which has meant “pupils struggle to remember what they have been taught”.

The report acknowledges the school’s curriculum extends beyond the academic and some pupils have benefitted from trips including visits to the national space centre and extra-curricular clubs but not enough pupils take part in the activities.

It acknowledges leaders have developed a culture of reading and pupils and staff say behaviour in lessons and around the school has improved but it adds: “On occasion, some pupils talk over teachers and disrupt the learning of others. Some teachers do not challenge this when it happens.”

Inspectors also found “arrangements for safeguarding are not effective” and the report states: “While staff have received appropriate safeguarding training, some do not follow the safeguarding processes that are in place. This puts pupils at risk of harm."

It does, however, acknowledge pupils say they feel safe and they are taught to keep themselves safe in various situations.

A spokesperson for Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust said of Ofsted’s rating: "Thorns is a good school with the most improved student progress levels in the borough.

“However a small number of key processes were not adhered to and this led to this disappointing judgement. These issues have now been resolved and we are expecting Ofsted to return very soon."

Ofsted says it re-inspects inadequate schools within 30 months of the last inspection, or at any time if there are concerns.