Kettering school is making improvements, say Ofsted

Ofsted say a Kettering school is making progress after it received four successive grades of 'requires improvement'.

Kettering Science Academy, in Deeble Road, was the subject of a remote monitoring inspection by the education watchdog in March.

And in a letter to principal Tony Segalini published last week, inspector Chris Davies said leaders have continued improving the school since the last visit in 2019. The school has appointed three new senior leaders since then.

Mr Segalini said: “We are delighted with the feedback from Ofsted’s remote monitoring inspection.

"At Kettering Science Academy, we aspire to be the best at everything we do, so it is particularly pleasing to see that we have continued to make significant progress despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“I am particularly pleased with the comments about the high quality of remote learning education we have provided as this is something we have worked hard to maintain. I would like to thank our staff, trust colleagues, pupils and parents for all your support during the last year. We could not have achieved this success without you.”

In the letter, Mr Davies said: "Leaders’ effective actions have ensured that all pupils can access education in the current circumstances.

"You recognise that the vast majority of pupils have returned to school with a keen attitude. This is also recognised by some parents and carers.

"One parent commented, ‘The best endorsement I can give is that my child loves the school.’ Leaders continue to provide remote education to the very small number of pupils who are not attending on site due to Covid-19.

"Leaders have continued improving the school since its previous inspection. They are keen to make sure that the curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. Senior and subject leaders have continued to develop the curriculum during the pandemic."

The letter added that members of the governing body are ambitious for the school and that reading has become an increasing priority since the previous inspection.

The letter said: "Leaders are aware of the need to help pupils who are at an early stage of reading.

"Pupils are benefiting from support to help them learn to read.”

However, Mr Davies found that Covid-19 has affected the school's pace of improvement and that some subjects do not have well-thought-through curriculum plans.

The letter added that leaders and those responsible for governance should take further action to ensure that every subject has an ambitious and challenging curriculum that enables pupils to build their knowledge and skills sequentially, and that subject curriculum plans meet the needs of all pupils.

Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the monitoring inspection was conducted remotely through virtual meetings with senior, subject and other school leaders.

Inspectors also observed pupils in their reading lessons, reviewed information about the curriculum and assessed responses to Ofsted’s online questionnaire, Parent View and staff questionnaires.