A SCHOOL in Basingstoke has been rated 'inadequate' following an Ofsted inspection, with pupils said to be receiving an "often poor" education. 

Ashwood Academy, in Ashwood Way, Winklebury opened in 2015 as a pupil referral unit accepting students from other secondary schools on temporary placement or who have been excluded permanently.

It was previously rated 'good' by Ofsted after an inspection in 2017 and inspectors visiting in September found standards had "fallen significantly" since then. 

The school is run by Catch-22 Multi-Academy Trust which is handing over all of its seven schools to another provider following a string of poor Ofsted reports.

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This includes two other Basingstoke Schools – Coppice Spring Academy and the Austin Academy. 

Ashwood Academy was rated 'inadequate' in all areas following an inspection in September, with the quality of education, leadership and management, and behaviour and attitudes all highlighted as needing improvement.

Inspectors found pupils received an "often poor" education and found safeguarding arrangements were "ineffective". 

The report, published on December 6, said: "Leaders lack the capacity to make the urgent improvements necessary in this school. Virtually all leaders are new to role and in the very early stages of making changes.

"Leaders’ self-evaluation and plans for developing the school lack the ambition needed to tackle deep-seated issues such as the entrenched culture of non-attendance."

It added: “Leaders do not do enough to make sure that pupils are safe and attend school regularly.

“Too many pupils are routinely absent, and this is not challenged effectively.

“Although there have been recent improvements to the curriculum in some subjects, too few pupils benefit from these due to persistently low attendance.”

Ofsted found that teachers often fail to ensure that students are focused on their learning, with disruption in lessons common.

Inspectors said that governours and trustees have not done enough to challenge low standards and expectations with efficiency.

However, the report said that pupils have been feeling safer at the school because of clearer expectations of behaviour being introduced and enforced. 

Parents and carers were said to be positive about some changes such as the introduction of school uniforms.

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The report said: “Senior leaders have started to improve behaviour in the school. They make themselves visible in and around the school and greet pupils when they arrive each morning.

“This work has been successful in ensuring that there is a calm start to the day and that pupils feel safe.”

Ashwood Academy’s headteacher Steve Griffiths said that the school is currently working to deliver “a clear plan which is already addressing the issues identified in the Ofsted report”.

He added: “We’re tackling low attendance, broadening our curriculum and raising standards. With a stable senior team in place and dedicated staff, the school is going from strength to strength.”