THE headteacher of a Basingstoke secondary school has been credited with its transformation after it was graded as ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted.

Ashwood Academy, in Winklebury, was given the grading by Ofsted in September 2022 following an inspection, during which inspectors found pupils received an “often poor” education.

Read more: Ashwood Academy graded 'inadequate' following Ofsted inspection

The school opened in 2015 as a pupil referral unit and is part of the Catch-22 Multi Academy Trust, which is in the process of handing over all seven of its academy schools following a string of poor Ofsted reports.

See also: Academy trust handing over three Basingstoke schools following decline

New headteacher Steve Griffiths was appointed to lead Ashwood Academy in September and said it has undergone a complete transformation.

Hampshire County Council (HCC) carried out a visit in November 2022 and in a report on its findings said: “Leaders have raised expectations across teaching and learning. A broad and balanced curriculum has been introduced, similar to that of a mainstream secondary school.”

It added: “Leaders are driving the school improvement agenda at pace and have transformed the fortunes of the school in a short period of time. Leaders have addressed all the actions identified during the previous visit.”

Mr Griffiths began his teaching career after working in the coal mining industry when he left school in 1993 aged 16. 

The father-of-three went on to work in schools as a maths and physics teacher before moving up the career ladder to become a headteacher. 

More recently he has worked to help failing schools move out of ‘special measures’.

Speaking about the changes at Ashwood Academy, he said: “We really are like a totally different school.

"Ofsted rightly said the attendance had historically been unacceptable and now we are nearly at the national average.

"The students are coming in on a regular basis and are safeguarded correctly and we have done a lot of work on the curriculum.

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“We have worked very hard to make sure we achieve that and make sure they have the best option and the same curriculum as if they were in a mainstream school.”

He added: “It’s about preparing pupils for the next stage, which is just as important as addressing what went wrong. It’s giving them the social skills so they can be employed and be a success when they leave school.”

Mr Griffiths said when Ofsted visited the curriculum “wasn’t fit for purpose”. 

However, he said the school has since transformed the curriculum, and “puts the child at the heart to give them the best education”.

He added: “That’s why they attend because they are being given a good education.”

The headteacher said Ashwood Academy is focused on getting pupils back to mainstream education, adding: “We break down the barriers and put the student at the heart of everything.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “As an academy, the work of Ashwood is overseen by the Department for Education rather than the Local Authority.

"Hampshire County Council has been supporting the academy in its capacity as a provider of school improvement services. During that time, whilst recognising there is more to do, the school improvement team has noted that progress has been made in a number of areas.”