A failing Birmingham school linked to the so-called Trojan Horse scandal has been told it is on the right path to pulling itself out of special measures.
Inspectors at education watchdog Ofsted have given a thumbs up to the work at Nansen Primary School for the first time since it was rated “inadequate” almost two years ago.
The school was one of five in Birmingham plunged in special measures by Ofsted in April 2014 following snap inspections triggered by the emergence of a letter alleging a plot by hard-line Muslims to “Islamise” non-faith schools.
Since then, the school has undergone five monitoring inspections by Ofsted and in February last year it was described as being in an “extremely fragile position”.
And a year ago, the interim headteacher Dr Rashida Sharif was axed after less than two months in the job following a damning Ofsted monitoring inspection which criticised the decision to spend almost £7,000 on upgrades to the headteacher’s room and a meeting room.
But since then Cath Rindl – head of Hockley’s Benson Community School – has taken over as interim head and Ofsted has been left impressed by her leadership.
In a report, set to be published by Ofsted next week following its latest monitoring inspection last month, inspector Usha Devi said: “Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.
“The leadership of the school continues to improve. The interim headteacher is a strong and influential leader.
“She is highly focused on raising pupils’ achievement and strengthening teaching.
“The deputy headteacher continues to ensure that staff are fully aware of the risks associated with extremism and radicalisation.”
Pupil behaviour and attendance was also described as having improved considerably.
Ms Devi added: “In lessons, pupils are attentive. In some classes, pupils’ behaviour is exemplary.
“Staff keep a close check on pupils’ attendance and use a wide range of rewards to encourage pupils to attend regularly.
“The percentage of pupils who are persistently absent from school has reduced significantly since September.
“Pupils are polite and welcoming. They wear the new school uniform colours with pride and they are keen to talk about the improvements in their school.”
However, the report described last year’s SATs results for Year 6 pupils as “disappointing” – saying they reflected “previous weaknesses in teaching”.
Mrs Rindl said she was “extremely encouraged” by the latest report.
“It is a great start to 2016 and I have no doubt that the school will continue to work tirelessly to further improve the provision for our children, who will always be at the centre of all we do,” she added. “I would like to thank all staff and the governing body for their tremendous efforts which have led us to this point in our journey to educational excellence.”
In a letter to parents, Adrian Packer, chief executive of CORE Education Trust which runs the school, said the report “provides the most optimistic forecast for Nansen”.
Many improvements have been acknowledged.
“We are delighted that Mrs Rindl’s leadership has been deservedly commended in this way and we are more confident than ever that Nansen will continue to flourish because of her passion, dedication and sheer determination to move the school forward to a brighter future,” he added. “Mrs Rindl and her fellow leaders deserve enormous credit for their relentless pursuit to improve all aspects of the school’s work.
“I would like to acknowledge that our recent improvements are testament to the many parents who have offered Mrs Rindl, her staff, governors and the Trust their full support and encouragement.
“I am confident that, after reading this report, parents will feel strongly that we are Nansen and proud and that we have much to look forward to.”