Education inspectors have said a South Liverpool academy is “taking effective action” in turning its fortunes around.
Since opening its doors in September 2010, The Academy of St Nicholas on Horrocks Avenue, Garston, has yet to receive a rating of ‘good’ from Ofsted. In its last two inspections, the school has received two successive judgments of requires improvement.
This has prompted a monitoring visit from officials who have deemed that leaders are beginning to set the academy on the right track. In a letter outlining their findings to headteacher Jeniffer Sing, made available online, inspector Ahmed Marikar said leaders should continue to build on the work already started.
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Since its last inspection in May 2019, Mrs Sing has been installed at St Nicholas, which is part of the All Saints Multi Academy Trust, alongside two new deputy headteachers appointed last January. Mr Marikar’s findings were full of praise for Mrs Sing’s leadership.
He wrote: “Since your arrival as headteacher, you have worked with leaders and staff to improve many aspects of the school. You have redesigned the leadership structure so that all leaders have clear lines of responsibility.
“The school development plan identifies the correct improvement priorities. This plan is frequently reviewed by you and other senior leaders to check that actions to improve the school are bearing fruit.
“As a result, the school is moving in a positive direction. You know that the improvement journey towards being a good school is not complete and that further work is still required to reach your ambitious goals.”
It was said that Mrs Sing’s leadership had “raised expectations of what all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can achieve.” The academy’s support for pupils arriving from other countries and those who have “experienced significant trauma in their lives” was also lauded.
Attendance at the Garston academy is also improving but some pupils are still absent from school too often, according to Mr Marikar. He added: “This limits their learning and hampers their achievement.”
In addition to new staff at St Nicholas, a new chief executive officer, chair of the local governing body and new chair of the trust board have been appointed. The monitoring inspection was held in March.
Headteacher Mrs Sing said: “We are absolutely delighted with Ofsted’s feedback following the monitoring inspection. We are pleased that they have recognised so many of the areas where we have spent time improving.
“I am very proud of the team we have here, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their hard work and dedication. We are moving in the right direction and fulfilling our mission to ensure students flourish and thrive throughout and beyond school life.”
A further visit will be held at St Nicholas within two and a half years following its last inspection, or at any time if Ofsted has concerns. Inspectors normally give one working day's notice before an inspection but can also inspect schools without notice.
