Latest Ofsted report reveals Rugby Free Secondary School is making progress after disappointing result in 2019

Rugby Free Secondary School has made progress since May 2019 - an Ofsted report published today, January 21, has revealed.
The school's temporary Anderson Avenue site. Photo: Google Streetview.The school's temporary Anderson Avenue site. Photo: Google Streetview.
The school's temporary Anderson Avenue site. Photo: Google Streetview.

This latest inspection, conducted in December last year, found: "Leaders and managers are taking effective actions towards the removal of the serious weaknesses designation.

"The school’s action plan is fit for purpose.

"The trust’s statement of action is fit for purpose."

The school, which opened in 2016, was rated as 'inadequate' in its first ever Ofsted inspection in the summer of 2019.

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Among the findings of that previous report were senior leaders being too overconfident and not acting quickly enough to stop the decline of the school.

Other issues included 'too many' children turning up late to lessons, causing low-level disruptions or walking out of classes for no apparent reason.

At the time Learning Today Leading Tomorrow, the trust which runs the school, said there was no hiding their 'extreme disappointment'.

But said they were confident there would be a 'strong upward trajectory.'

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In May 2019 the Learning Today Leading Tomorrow Trust took executive control of the school.

Trust CEO Brenda Mullen was then based there full time and, with the support of an educational advisor, plans were made for the September intake that year.

The headteacher has been absent from the school since May.

The trust did not comment when the Advertiser asked whether the headteacher is still being paid a salary and if they will return.

Acting headteacher Miss Samirah Roberts was appointed in September last year - and Ofsted stated she made some 'significant changes in order to instigate the necessary improvements across the school'.

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The report adds: "However, while there are clear improvements in some aspects of the school’s performance, notably in the standard of behaviour and staff morale, some key weaknesses remain."

Brenda Mullen, CEO said: “We are delighted with the progress that the school is making under Miss Robert’s inspirational leadership.

"Ofsted recognised that the Trust, Sustainable Improvement Board and Parent Advisory Board share an ambitious vision and are all working effectively with Miss Roberts to ensure that the rapid improvement is sustainable and will ultimately lead to a good Ofsted outcome at the next full inspection.

"There is still some way to go but as we start the new term, staff morale has remained high as we prepare to move into our state-of-the-art new building.

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"However, we will not be complacent and the whole team is committed to working together as we continue on this important journey.”

A spokesperson for the trust said the Ofsted judgement of 'inadequate' can only change following a full section five inspection.

But, they added, the outcome of the monitoring visit marks an important milestone in the school's journey.

Visit files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50143411 to view the latest report in full.

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