AN Alcester headteacher who was told by Ofsted inspectors his school was outstanding in all areas has spoken of his disappointment after later receiving a good rating from the education watchdog.

Alcester Academy, in Gerard Road, was visited by inspectors Martin Spoor, Jacqueline Newsome and Gwendoline Onyon on October 21 and 22.

After the inspection, headteacher Paul Hyde said he was told all three agreed on the highest Ofsted rating, but later received a call from an inspector who didn’t visit the site to say after Ofsted’s moderation and quality assurance processes the school would only be awarded a good rating as there was insufficient evidence to support the first grade.

Mr Hyde complained to Ofsted but the grade was upheld. He also asked for evidence of why the school didn’t reach the outstanding quota by sending in a Freedom of Information request – but was declined.

Mr Hyde said: “We have done really well, the transformation of this place in the last two years is exceptional.
“To have three inspectors leave with an outstanding rating was an achievement.

“Then, to have Ofsted say ‘really sorry, we have to downgrade you because we don’t have the right evidence to substantiate the outstanding grade’– it is disappointing.

“We have appealed to Ofsted, they have stuck to their decision.”

“Parents have been emailing me saying what an injustice this is – they’ve said that in their eyes the school is outstanding – that makes it a bit more tolerable.”

Ofsted have now agreed to meet the head tomorrow (Thursday, January 14) to discuss the grade.

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “Ofsted’s robust moderation and quality assurance processes ensure that final inspection results are based firmly on the evidence inspectors find.

“Occasionally, this means the overall outcome differs slightly from the feedback given to the school during its inspection.
“The school is to be congratulated for improving from requires improvement to good.

“The final published inspection report clearly sets out areas for further improvement to achieve an outstanding grade. Our regional director has also discussed the inspection findings with the headteacher.”

The report, published on Monday, January 4 rated the effectiveness of leadership and management and personal development, behaviour and welfare of students outstanding but said outcomes for pupils and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment were good.

The report said the school was not yet outstanding because links with primary school are not strong enough to ensure pupils in year seven build on their previous learning, improvements in pupils’ progress have not been sustained over time and are not consistent in all subjects, and teachers marking and feedback is not always clear enough to ensure pupils know what they need to do to improve.

Inspectors also said to improve further the school needed to increase the progress of pupils in year seven by extending the existing work with partner primary schools, further ensure pupils know what they must do to improve and ensure quality of teaching and the outcomes in all subjects, especially in Key Stage 3, match the high standards evident in more successful areas.

Alcester Academy’s previous inspection rated the school as requiring improvement.