Progress being made at school

Mr Thomas Rothwell, Acting Co-headteacher at St. Marys, Menston, a Voluntary Catholic Academy

Lightcliffe Academy had its latest monitoring inspection in May - the third since the academy was placed in special measures in May 2014.

Michael Maddison Associate Inspector said: “Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the academy is making reasonable progress towards the removal of special measures.”

The report revealed that since the last monitoring inspection there has been a considerable number of staff resignations. Most will take effect from the end of the summer term but those of theformer headteacher and the director of finance took effect during the spring term. At the end of this term, most members of the senior leadership team will leave the academy.

The academy has announced that Tom Rothwell, currently of St Mary’s Menston in Leeds will be appointed principal in September 2015. He will be joined by Daniel Stucke who will be his vice -principal.

So far over 20 new teaching staff, including senior and middle leaders, have been recruited for September 2015.

The report also outlined that there is increasing evidence to indicate that achievement in pupils is improving and is aided by the quality of teaching.

Inspectors also said: “It is pleasing to be able to record that the much awaited and long overdue restructuring of senior leadership roles is well underway and that a much leaner, and hopefully more highly effective senior leadership team, will be in place in September.”

On March 1 the school completed the process of converting to an academy under the sponsorship of the Abbey Multi Academy Trust.