A Nottinghamshire school has been issued with a Termination Warning Notice by the Department for Education. Carlton Le Willows Academy was given the notice on January 27, which came after the school was rated 'Inadequate' by Ofsted.
In the notice, the the Department for Education noted that arrangements for safeguarding at the school in Wood Lane, Gedling village, are not effective, leaders do not accurately monitor the attendance of pupils who are educated off site or of students in the sixth form, and leaders are not assured of these pupils’ welfare.
It was also stated governors and trustees have not consistently met their statutory responsibilities nor provided a level of rigorous accountability for leaders, statutory duties regarding safeguarding have not been fulfilled, and leaders have not ensured there is a well-planned and sequenced curriculum in place for all subjects.
Other concerns identified in the document included that weak readers at the school are not supported enough, the curriculum is not designed for all pupils, especially those with SEND, to ensure they can succeed, and that pupils are not as well equipped for life in modern Britain as they could be.
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A spokesperson for the Department of Education said Carlton le Willows Academy, part of Greater Nottingham Education Trust, was issued with Termination Warning Notice on January 27, 2023. The spokesperson said the 'trust board has confirmed they will work with the regional team to transfer the Academy to a new trust'.
"The Regional Director will consider the relevant information to identify a strong multi academy trust with capacity and capability to bring about rapid and sustainable improvements at the academy and deliver the best outcomes for pupils," the spokesperson added.
When an academy receives an inadequate Ofsted judgement, the Regional Director follows the Schools Causing Concern Guidance and issues a termination warning notice. The Regional Director, on behalf of the Secretary of State, has the power to terminate the funding agreement of an academy should it become necessary, the Department of Education confirmed.
Carlton Le Willows Academy, which has 1,771 pupils on its books, did not wish to comment. Ofsted judged Carlton Le Willows Academy inadequate on November 15, 2022 and the report was published on January 16.
Speaking previously about about the Ofsted report, Acting Headteacher Rod Bond-Taylor said: “This Ofsted judgement is disappointing for the new senior leadership team at Carlton le Willows and the whole staff body. It will also be disappointing to our students and parents, a great many of whom are proud to attend Carlton le Willows Academy and achieve excellent exam results.
“Measures have been brought in immediately to address concerns. Most importantly the issue relating to the inadequate judgement was regarding students educated off-site. This was rectified within two days of the Ofsted visit and is now fully compliant.
“Clearly there is work still to be done, but staff remain committed to working with parents/carers and achieving the very best outcomes for all students at Carlton le Willows.”
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