Halifax school rated inadequate by Ofsted inspectors

Mount Pellon Primary Academy was visited by inspectors in November and was found to be rated as inadequate in three of the five inspection areas.

In the report Lesley Butcher, lead inspector, said in her summary: “Leaders have struggled to recruit and retain staff, making it difficult to develop and sustain the quality of teaching.

“Some teachers lack the subject knowledge needed to ensure pupils receive appropriate challenge.

“Disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are not making the rapid progress they need to in order to catch up with other pupils nationally.

“The impact of additional adults on learning is too variable so that opportunities to accelerate pupils’ learning and develop their confidence are being missed.”

The school currently has around 570 children on roll from nursery up to year six.

However, the lead inspector did praise work that is being done to turn around the school.

“The trust has put into place robust plans to tackle current weaknesses. It has provided effective support for the acting principal.

“The governing body has the skills needed to challenge leaders and help improve the school.

“The actions of senior and middle leaders are beginning to have an impact on pupils’ progress so that work in books is much improved this term.

”Leaders are successfully promoting pupils’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural understanding, thus supporting pupils’ secure personal development.”

Formerly Mount Pellon Junior and Infant School, it became an academy in April 2013, sponsored by the Northern Education Trust.

In a letter to parents vice principal Ruth Collyer said in a letter to parents: “Northern Education Trust and the leadership of the academy, feel that the report is a fair reflection of the academy’s progress to date.

“The inspectors identified a number of areas for improvement to which Northern Education Trust and the leadership of the academy are actively responding. More information will be shared with parents regarding the actions being taken and how they can be involved with the developments planned.

“In light of the inspection report, elements of the academy improvement plan have been further refined and developed in order to continue to strengthen the academy in all areas.