Wolverhampton academy praised in new report

A Wolverhampton school has been praised by OFSTED in a new report for turning its fortunes around and making positive progress.

Inspectors said Wednesfield High Specialist Engineering Academy had undergone considerable improvements in the past 18 months with behaviour, teaching and pupils’ progress all improving.

The academy, part of the University of Wolverhampton Multi-Academy Trust (UWMAT), was rated as inadequate following a full inspection in January 2017 and a number of areas for improvement were identified.

However, following a new inspection at the start of December 2018 OFSTED has decided to remove the school from special measures and has now judged it as Requires Improvement.

Inspectors found that the school was “providing an acceptable standard of education” and was “unrecognisable” from its last full inspection stating “The headteacher, well supported by effective senior leaders, has addressed weaknesses thoughtfully, methodically and successfully.”

The report highlighted that pupils feel safe and were well cared for, careers education was a particular strength, meaning almost all pupils moved on to education, employment and training when they leave, many aspects of the Sixth Form were judged to be very effective and work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare was judged as good.

Inspectors also noted governance at the school had considerably improved and that UWMAT provided effective scrutiny, challenge and support.

Head teacher Clive Jones, who was appointed as the new head in February 2017, said: “We are delighted that inspectors have recognised all of the hard work that has been done by senior leaders and staff across the school since the previous inspection.

“We are proud of our efforts so far to improve the school and we have sought to put students at the heart of what we do.

“I am particularly pleased that inspectors have noted the big improvements in behaviour, teaching and pupils’ progress and that pupils feel safe and well cared for by staff.

“Everyone acknowledges that coming out of special measures is just the first big step but we still have more to do. We do not just want to sit back. We want to continue to improve and strive to become a good school and improve the outcomes for all of our pupils.”