A new Ofsted report has said a closure-threatened Liverpool school is taking "effective action" to remove special measures.
An inspection of De La Salle Academy in Croxteth was carried out by an Ofsted inspector over two days in November 2021 and this month's official report made clear the school is making progress.
The school had previously been issued with a termination warning notice after two consecutive inadequate Ofsted inspections.
READ MORE: Plans to commemorate Hillsborough with education programme to be put before council
And in December 2021, government officials announced they were to pause the plans to close the school in order to explore the possibility of De La Salle becoming part of a Multi-Academy Trust.
Now, the latest Ofsted report, dated January 6, 2022, declares that De La Salle is making progress towards not being in special measures.
Her Majesty's Inspector, Ahmed Marikar, wrote on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills after conducting the Ofsted monitoring inspection on November 23 and 24 last year and his letter concludes:
- Leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.
- The trust’s statement of action is fit for purpose.
- The school’s improvement plan is fit for purpose.
- Having considered the evidence, I strongly recommend that the school does not seek to appoint early career teachers.
Granular detail in the inspection report shows the improvements that have been made at the school.
Among them are positive comments on leaders and staff.
It is also stated that governance "has been strengthened with additional trustees who have a range of skills and expertise", and leaders "have reviewed and improved" the breadth of subjects that pupils can follow at key stage 4.
The quality of subject curriculums "is improving", and the support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "is strengthening".
The report also made clear that reading continues to be "a priority" for the school, and there are "some tentative improvements" in pupils’ attendance.
Furthermore, leaders are "taking effective steps to improve pupils’ behaviour", and leaders have "improved the quality of the provision" for the small number of pupils who attend alternative provision.
The report indicates that "staff morale is high", and staff are "proud to work at the school".
Mr Marikar's letter confirming his conclusion, along with the inspection report, were sent to De La Salle's acting principal Alicia Freeman and copied in were the chair of the board of trustees, the director of education for the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the regional schools commissioner and the director of children’s services for Liverpool.
The ECHO contacted the school for reaction to the report. De La Salle Academy Acting Principal, Alicia Freeman, sent a statement which reads: "I am very proud to be serving the academy at this difficult time. Since I took up post, staff have shown spirit and a desire to do things differently and better. The ofsted inspection has recognised those changes. It recognised the high expectations that we are holding everyone to and in turn this is what is helping us to grow and make progress. I am proud of my staff and particularly the maths department who has transformed itself since the last inspection.
"Despite the positive recognition that we are on the right track, we also know we are on a journey and there is still much we want to achieve. Our aim every day is to give the best educational experience we can offer – that is what every member of staff is striving for. The lifting of the Termination warning Notice, if that is to be the case, will allow us the freedom to make the bigger changes that we desire and know will bring about changes even quicker than we are already doing so."
Local authority governor at De La Salle Academy, and the school's former chair of governors, Father Gerry Proctor, MBE, has read the Ofsted report.
He told the ECHO: "It is good to see that Ofsted are now recognising that De La Salle leaders and governors are making progress towards the school being removed from special measures.
"Pupils stated in the report that they find it a safe place and trust the staff to deal effectively with any concerns they might have.
"The Ofsted report clearly backs up the efforts of governors and the MP (Ian Byrne) to fight to maintain a school in this community.
"Clearly, Ofsted understand that the Academy is on the right road and that improvements are being made that are showing results."
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne became a foundation governor at De La Salle in November last year.
In response to the latest Ofsted report, Mr Byrne told the ECHO that the Ofsted report's conclusions are a step in the right direction and he thanked everyone for pulling together.
Mr Byrne said: "This is an excellent step forward in ensuring De La Salle remains open and serving our community for future generations.
"A huge thanks to the head, staff, pupils and all the governors for their efforts in driving the school forward.
"I'm honoured to serve on the governing board in working to help drive the improvements required and the warmth of welcome I received since joining the board in November last year shows what a special school this is."
